School Playground Surfacing and Arm Fractures in Children: A Cluster Randomized Trial Comparing Sand to Wood Chip Surfaces

Andrew W. Howard; Colin Macarthur; Linda Rothman; Andrew Willan; Alison K. Macpherson

doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000195

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Open Access

Peer-reviewed

Research Article

School Playground Surfacing and Arm Fractures in Children: A Cluster Randomized Trial Comparing Sand to Wood Chip Surfaces

Andrew W. Howard ,

* E-mail: andrew.howard@sickkids.ca

Affiliations Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
⨯
Colin Macarthur,

Affiliation Bloorview Kids Rehab, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
⨯
Linda Rothman,

Affiliation Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
⨯
Andrew Willan,

Affiliation Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
⨯
Alison K. Macpherson

Affiliation Department of Kinesiology, York University, Toronto, Canada
⨯

School Playground Surfacing and Arm Fractures in Children: A Cluster Randomized Trial Comparing Sand to Wood Chip Surfaces

Andrew W. Howard,
Colin Macarthur,
Linda Rothman,
Andrew Willan,
Alison K. Macpherson

Published: December 15, 2009
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000195

Reader Comments

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Adding to prevention knowledge

Posted by PFuselli on 21 Jan 2010 at 01:47 GMT

Playground-related falls are the second leading cause of hospitalizations for children 1-14 years old in Canada. Fall height and surfacing contribute to efforts to prevent these injuries which can include head trauma and fractures. That this is the only study of its kind points to the need for research into the ways to address these predictable and preventable events. Every piece of information that contributes to our knowledge of "what works" serves to potentially decrease the number of children affected. That is ultimate goal - Fewer injuries. Healthier children. A safer Canada.

Competing interests declared: Dr. Howard is past-chair of the Safe Kids Canada national expert advisory committee.

RE: Adding to prevention knowledge

Andrew_Howard replied to PFuselli on 23 Jan 2010 at 09:07 GMT

Thank you for putting the information into context - an important health problem, with limited real world injury data to guide the selection of solutions.

Competing interests declared: Study author

RE: RE: Adding to prevention knowledge

Rogerwill replied to Andrew_Howard on 26 Jan 2010 at 13:00 GMT

We couldn't agree more. Every piece of legitimate information serves the ultimate goal. However, improperly obtained information, presented in an improper way can have a damaging and opposite effect.

Could the poster please declare their competing interests rather than Dr. Howard's past accomplishments.

Competing interests declared: manufacturer of EWF

RE: RE: RE: Adding to prevention knowledge

PFuselli replied to Rogerwill on 01 Feb 2010 at 20:43 GMT

I was not listing Dr. Howard's accomplishments - merely his relationship to Safe Kids Canada.

Competing interests declared: Safe Kids Canada is the national injury prevention program of SickKids. We have a national expert advisory committee and Dr. Howard chaired that committee until June 2009. He is also a surgeon at SickKids.

RE: RE: RE: RE: Adding to prevention knowledge

Rogerwill replied to PFuselli on 02 Mar 2010 at 17:38 GMT

The question is "what are your competing interests". So I guess we will assume that you are connected to SickKids or Safe Kids Canada in some way.

No competing interests declared.

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School Playground Surfacing and Arm Fractures in Children: A Cluster Randomized Trial Comparing Sand to Wood Chip Surfaces

School Playground Surfacing and Arm Fractures in Children: A Cluster Randomized Trial Comparing Sand to Wood Chip Surfaces

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Thank You!

Adding to prevention knowledge

Posted by PFuselli on 21 Jan 2010 at 01:47 GMT

RE: Adding to prevention knowledge

Andrew_Howard replied to PFuselli on 23 Jan 2010 at 09:07 GMT

RE: RE: Adding to prevention knowledge

Rogerwill replied to Andrew_Howard on 26 Jan 2010 at 13:00 GMT

RE: RE: RE: Adding to prevention knowledge

PFuselli replied to Rogerwill on 01 Feb 2010 at 20:43 GMT

RE: RE: RE: RE: Adding to prevention knowledge

Rogerwill replied to PFuselli on 02 Mar 2010 at 17:38 GMT