Burden of Sport Injuries in the European Union - Safety in Sports

3 Why sport injury matters
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3 | February 2012
While the societal benefits of sport, as gain of fitness, reducing risk of diseases, recreation,
educational effects, or integration of marginalized groups are well aware
among policy makers, relatively little attention is paid to the unwanted side-effects of
injuries. Injuries are not only damages to health, but also restrain the chances of getting
more people physically active and benefitting from the positive effects of sport.
Table/figure 2 illustrates the benefits for the main stakeholder groups as well as their
losses due to injuries.
Benefits Drawbacks due to injuries
Health Improvement of health, reduced
risk for certain diseases,
gain of healthy life years, reduction
of costs for health care
and welfare, reduction of sickleaves,
increased sense of wellbeing
Community Positive educational effects
(e.g. teamwork, community
spirit, self-discipline), integration
of marginalized groups
Sport clubs Income from members and
sponsors, increase in jobs in
sport clubs, scale of economy
Business Income and jobs in commercial
sport service providers, sport
good industry and trade, media,
advertisement, tourisms
Health problems due to acute
and chronic injuries, loss of
healthy life years, additional
costs for health care and welfare,
and lost productivity. Perceived
injury risk deters people from
considering to take a more active
lifestyle
Perceived injury risk deters people
from considering to participate
in sports
Losses by drop-outs, reduction of
chances for success in competition,
increased insurance fees.
Perceived injury risk deters people
to participate in sports
Limitations due to drop-outs and
reduced willingness to get active