AANS and CPSC Studies and Statistics
According to an American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) study utilizing U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) data, there were an estimated 446,788 sports-related head injuries treated at U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2009. This
number represents an increase of nearly 95,000 sports-related injuries from the prior year. All of the 20 sports noted below posted
increases in the number of injuries treated in 2009, except for trampolines, which posted 52 fewer injuries in 2009. Sports that
exhibited substantial increases from 2008 to 2009 included water sports (11,239 to 28,716*), cycling (70,802 to 85,389), baseball
and softball (26,964 to 38,394) and basketball (27,583 to 34,692).
*Four categories were tabulated by the AANS in the current analysis that were not reflected in the 2008 injury data analysis, but
together, these account for only 1,397 injuries.
The actual incidence of head injuries may potentially be much higher for two primary reasons. 1). In the 2009 report, the CPSC
excluded estimates for product categories that yielded 1,200 injuries or less, those that had very small sample counts and those that
were limited to a small geographic area of the country; 2). Many less severe head injuries are treated at physician's offices or
immediate care centers, or are self-treated.
Included in these statistics are not only the sports/recreational activities, but the equipment and apparel used in these activities. For
example, swimming-related injuries include the activity as well as diving boards, equipment, flotation devices, pools and water slides.
The following 20 sports/recreational activities represent the categories contributing to the highest number of estimated head injuries
treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2009.
Cycling: 85,389*
Football: 46,948*
Baseball and Softball: 38,394
Basketball: 34,692
Water Sports (Diving, Scuba Diving, Surfing, Swimming, Water Polo, Water Skiing, Water Tubing): 28,716
Powered Recreational Vehicles (ATVs, Dune Buggies, Go-Carts, Mini bikes, Off-road): 26,606*
Soccer: 24,184
Skateboards/Scooters: 23,114*
Fitness/Exercise/Health Club: 18,012
Winter Sports (Skiing, Sledding, Snowboarding, Snowmobiling): 16,948*
Horseback Riding: 14,466*
Gymnastics/Dance/Cheerleading: 10,223
Golf: 10,035
Hockey: 8,145*
Other Ball Sports and Balls, Unspecified: 6,883
Trampolines: 5,919
Rugby/Lacrosse: 5,794
Roller and Inline Skating: 3,320
Ice Skating: 4,608
The top 10 sports-related head-injury categories among children ages 14 and younger:
Cycling: 40,272*
Football: 21,878*
Baseball and Softball: 18,246
Basketball: 14,952
Skateboards/Scooters: 14,783*
Water Sports: 12,843
Soccer: 8,392
Powered Recreational Vehicles: 6,818*
Winter Sports: 6,750*
Trampolines: 5,025
*Sports/recreational activities primarily targeted by IPS due to the combination of head, concussion, neck, and shoulder injuries
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