Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Sandra Gordon on January 8, 2023
More than 3 million people were treated for sports injuries in emergency rooms in 2021.
-
Keep Your Family Safe When Playing Sports
Being physically active is good for you, but it comes with the risk of getting hurt. Nearly 3 million people suffer from sports-related injuries every year and end up in the emergency room, according to data from the National Safety Council. Luckily 90% of those who are treated for sports injuries are released without a hospital stay
Surprisingly, more people are injured using exercise equipment or bicycles than any team sport. Get the facts on the sports most likely to cause injury and how to keep you and your family safe.
-
1. Basketball causes the most injuries.
Basketball is a popular sport—more than 26 million youngsters ages 12 to 17 play it—but it causes the most injuries for players of all ages. Roughly 260,000 players were treated for injuries in the United States in 2021. Play it safe: Wear eye protection, elbow and knee pads, a mouth guard, and an athletic supporter (boys and men). Strength training can also help you avoid injury.
-
-
2. Football injuries are common in teens.
In 2021, more than 220,000 Americans were treated for injuries related to football. Play it safe: Wear all pads and other safety equipment and warm up properly before playing. Remind your child of proper tackling techniques and to limit head contact.
-
3. Soccer contact and collisions are common.
More than 140,000 people show up in U.S. emergency departments because of soccer injuries each year. Collision or contact sports, such as soccer, football, basketball and baseball, account for about 80% of all sports-related emergency department visits for children ages 5 to 14. Play it safe: For sports in which “heading” is involved, make sure the coach is teaching the kids how to properly use their head to strike or make a play with a ball.
-
4. Baseball and softball have risks.
Baseball and softball are risky sports your child plays or you join in recreationally. More than 116,000 people were treated for baseball and softball injuries in U.S. emergency departments in 2021. Play it safe: Wear all safety equipment, such as a batting helmet and shin and elbow guards, and use detachable bases. Warm up before playing, too. Stretch your muscles and get your heart rate up before you play ball.
-
5. Ice hockey causes the most concussions.
Activities involving skating, including ice hockey, land fifth on the list of sports-causing injuries. Nearly 70,000 skating injuries are treated in the emergency room each year. Play it safe: Limit head contact during play. Don’t tough it out. As with any sport, encourage your child to tell someone if he or she thinks an injury has occurred.
-
-
6. Golf is more dangerous than it looks.
Even though golf isn’t a contact sport, it still results in nearly 60,000 injuries each year. What’s more shocking is that golf is responsible for more injuries than rugby. Many injuries involve golf carts and errant golf balls, in addition to stress and overuse injuries. Play it safe: Stay alert when hitting the links.
-
7. Snow skiing and snow boarding require a helment.
Although skiing and snowboarding are perceived by some as risky sports, the rate of injury is lower than many more popular sports on this list. Still, these wintry activities result in roughly 57,000 injuries each year. Snowboarding has a higher rate of injury than skiing, but skiing can result in more serious injuries. Play it safe: wear a helmet when participating in either of these activities.
7 Sports Most Likely to Cause Injuries
