A new study from the law firm Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys found that more than 4.35 million emergency department visits were related to sports and recreation.
Exercise and exercise equipment cause more emergency department visits than any other sport or recreational activity, with approximately 565,000 injuries occurring annually.
Cycling followed closely with 454,008 injuries, and basketball accounted for 385,777 attendees, making it the most injury-prone organized team sport.
Soccer and wheeled recreational equipment such as skateboards, scooters, and hoverboards also contributed significantly to the incidence of ER, reinforcing the risks associated with both contact sports and balance-based activities.
Men accounted for nearly two-thirds of all sports-related emergency department visits, with significantly higher injury rates in soccer, basketball, and cycling, while women were more likely to be injured in smaller activities.
Age plays an important role in determining who is most likely to get injured during sports and recreation. Of the five sports with the highest number of injuries, exercise equipment and cycling accounted for the highest number of injuries among adults ages 25 to 64.
Children ages 5 to 14 are also heavily affected, with soccer and basketball accounting for the majority of injuries in this age group. Young people aged 15 to 24 also had the highest number of injuries, particularly playing basketball and football, while seniors aged 65 and over were most likely to be injured while using exercise equipment or bicycles, highlighting concerns related to balance and falls.
In sports and recreational activities, injury patterns vary significantly by gender. Men account for almost two-thirds of all injury-related emergency department visits, approximately 2.88 million, compared to approximately 1.47 million for women.
Men were 91.2% more likely to be injured in football than women, and men were nearly 77% more likely to be injured in basketball. Cycling injuries are also skewed towards men, with approximately 69% higher injury rates, reflecting the increased risk in high-speed and high-contact sports.
