British researchers show that the benefits of doing physical activity far outweigh the potential dangers.
- Between 2012 and 2017, a total of 11,702 serious injuries were associated with physical activity, of which 1.3% were fatal.
- Among the most practiced sports, football has the highest incidence rate of injuries.
- However, the risk of major trauma is small compared to the health and well-being benefits of sport.
In a recent study, scientists from the Universities of Manchester and Bath (UK) challenged conventional wisdom about the “dangers” associated with physical activity. To estimate the incidence of major sports-related injuries in England and Wales, they used data from hospitals where patients presented with serious injuries. Next, the team looked at 61 sports and other physical activities practiced nationally, regardless of their popularity, and provided a comparable estimate of the risks faced by practitioners.
Sport: football has the highest incidence rate of injuries
According to the results, published in the journal Injury Preventionbetween 2012 and 2017, a total of 11,702 major injuries were caused by sport and physical activity, of which 1.3% were fatal. “The incidence rate was higher in men (6.44 per 100,000) than in women (3.34 per 100,000)”we can read in the work.
Fitness activities, such as running, golf, dance classes and gym sessions, were least likely to cause injury. Among the most practiced sports, football has the highest injury incidence rate (6.56 injuries per year per 100,000 participants), although this rate is also relatively low. Motor sports (532 injuries), equestrian activities (235 injuries), paragliding and hang gliding (191 injuries) are by far the riskiest activities among those analyzed.
“The risk of serious injury is small compared to the benefits of staying active”
Faced with these results, the authors estimated that the risks of serious injuries linked to most sports and physical exercises, even those which are considered risky by the population, were “surprisingly weak”. So, “This research demonstrates that the vast majority of physical activity is safe and beneficial to health. Although no physical activity is completely risk-free, the risk of serious injury is small compared to the health and health benefits. the well-being that comes from staying active”, said study author Dr. Sean Williams in a statement.
The researcher said many sports and recreation injuries are preventable. “Whether it’s protective equipment, changes to rules or laws, or education, once we identify how and where injuries occur, we can start to think about ways to address them. prevent in every sport”, he added.
