Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts normal brain function. Nearly one-quarter of all traumatic brain injuries in children and adolescents are the result of a sports-related injury. TBI is the leading cause of death from sports-related injuries in children and adolescents. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 351,922 sports-related head injuries treated at hospital emergency rooms in 2008. The following charts the top sports/recreational activities with the greatest incidence of TBI:
| Sport/Recreational Activity |
Estimated Number of Head Injuries Treated at Hospital Emergency Rooms (Adults) |
| Cycling |
70,802 |
| Football |
40,825 |
| Basketball |
27,583 |
| Baseball/softball |
26,964 |
| Powered recreational vehicles (ATVs, off-road vehicles, etc.) |
25,970 |
| Sport/Recreational Activity |
Estimated Number of Head Injuries Treated at Hospital Emergency Rooms (children under 14) |
| Cycling |
34,366 |
| Football |
16,902 |
| Skateboards/powered scooters |
11,727 |
| Baseball/softball |
11,672 |
| Basketball |
11,359 |
