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Risk Greatest during Informal Sports Activities

One in three children who participates in organized sports has been injured; however, most of the 3.5 million sports injuries among children age 14 and under each year occur during informal sports activities. This is likely because the safety gear and injury prevention measures in place during organized activities are absent in informal settings.

• Most of these injuries result from falls, collisions, overexertion or being struck by an object.
• While contact sports like football are associated with higher injury rates, injuries from recreational activities and individual sports are more likely to be severe when they occur.
• Sports injuries account for approximately 55 percent of nonfatal injuries at school.