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Health and Medicine

Health Hazards and Risks

How frequently is traumatic brain injury associated with sports injuries?

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


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