Bicycling leads with over 379,000 injuries, followed closely by basketball and general exercise
Key Findings:
- Bicycling caused over 379,504 injuries in 2023, making up 12.31% of all sports injuries
- Basketball followed closely, with 331,183 injuries, highlighting risks in everyday sports
- Experts point to accessibility and participation as major factors driving injury numbers
When thinking of dangerous sports, most people imagine extreme activities like rock climbing or skydiving. However, a new study, using 2023 data, shows that it’s actually our everyday sports that land the most Americans in the emergency room.
Personal injury experts at Injured In Florida analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) to determine which sports were sending Americans to the ER the most.
The NEISS tracks injury data from a sample of hospitals nationwide. By analyzing this data, Injured in Florida discovered that common sports like bicycling, basketball, and general exercise accounted for the bulk of sports-related injuries last year. And these figures, while alarming, don’t even represent every hospital in the country, meaning the actual numbers are even higher.
Their study ranked all sports based on the number of recorded injuries for each. It also calculated what percentage of the total number of injuries each sport represented. Injured in Florida’s analysis did not account for participation numbers, so sports that rank higher are also likely to be the most commonly undertaken sports.
Bicycling: The Medical Bills Stack Up
Leading the pack is bicycling, with over 379,000 injuries reported in 2023. That’s 12.31% of all sports-related injuries. And while cycling is typically considered a low-cost activity, the medical bills can quickly add up when injuries occur.
For instance, as Injured in Florida points out: “A fractured leg from a bicycle accident can cost over $7,500 for initial treatment alone, not including follow-up care, physical therapy, or missed work. If surgery is needed, those costs can soar into the tens of thousands.”
The combination of high participation and external factors like traffic makes it a major risk. With healthcare costs rising, even a minor injury from a cycling mishap could turn into a financial burden.
Basketball: Costly Injuries on the Court
Second in line is basketball, racking up 331,183 injuries in 2023. This sport is known for sending players to the ER with sprains, strains, and knee injuries.
“A torn anterior cruciate ligament—a common basketball injury—can cost up to $20,000 to $50,000 for surgery and rehabilitation,” explains Injured in Florida. “On top of causing immense pain, these injuries can cause significant financial strain, especially for uninsured or underinsured athletes.”
While basketball might seem like a cheap hobby, those medical bills suggest otherwise. Between the cost of injuries and lost playing time, even casual players can end up spending big.
General Exercise: Health Benefits, But at a Price
In third place, with 315,334 injuries, is general exercise. This broad category includes activities like jogging, bodyweight exercises, and fitness classes—many of which can be done without fancy equipment or a gym membership. But as with bicycling and basketball, the medical costs associated with injuries can quickly pile up.
“A simple muscle strain or sprain—common in all forms of exercise—can cost several hundred dollars just for an emergency room visit,” says Injured in Florida. “Add in physical therapy or further treatment, and that figure can climb even higher.”
Other Sports That Made the List
Other sports in the top 10 include football, with 262,405 injuries, and soccer, accounting for 210,704 injuries. Weightlifting saw 111,701 injuries, while trampolining caused 109,680. Baseball contributed 83,400 injuries, and activities like skateboarding and riding scooters resulted in 68,892 and 67,674 injuries, respectively.
“Even these everyday sports can lead to serious incidents, from sprains to broken bones,” says Injured in Florida.
Table 1: The top 10 sports, ranked by number of injuries
| Rank | Category | Injuries | Percentage |
| 1 | Bicycling (Excluding Mountain and All-Terrain Biking) | 379,504 | 12.31% |
| 2 | Basketball | 331,183 | 10.74% |
| 3 | General Exercise-related Injuries (Without Equipment) | 315,334 | 10.23% |
| 4 | Football | 262,405 | 8.51% |
| 5 | Soccer | 210,704 | 6.83% |
| 6 | Weight Lifting | 111,701 | 3.62% |
| 7 | Trampolining | 109,680 | 3.56% |
| 8 | Baseball (Excluding Softball) | 83,400 | 2.71% |
| 9 | Skateboards | 68,892 | 2.23% |
| 10 | Scooters | 67,674 | 2.19% |
| Total Injuries across all categories | 3,083,132 | ||
Why Common Sports Dominate Injury Stats
We tend to think of extreme sports as the most dangerous, but they don’t even crack the top 10. The reason is obvious: accessibility and participation. Millions of people can grab a bike or play basketball, but only a fraction will ever skydive or bungee jump. With that level of participation comes an overwhelming number of injuries.
Think Twice Before Skipping Safety Gear
Injured in Florida’s experts emphasize that just because a sport is common doesn’t mean it’s without risk. “Whether you’re hopping on a bike, hitting the court, or jogging in the park, safety precautions are key,” they say. “Helmets, proper warm-ups, and injury prevention techniques can go a long way in keeping you out of the ER and out of debt.”
A spokesperson for Injured In Florida commented:
“The data clearly shows that everyday sports can lead to serious injuries, but that doesn’t mean we need to avoid them. Instead, it’s all about taking the right precautions to reduce risks. For cyclists, wearing a properly fitted helmet is your first line of defense. Reflective gear and lights are also a must if you’re riding near traffic.
“For basketball players, focusing on conditioning and flexibility can make a huge difference. A lot of knee injuries come from poor landing technique or fatigue. Practicing proper form, warming up before games, and strengthening muscles around the joints can help prevent strains and tears.
“Even with general exercise, it’s easy to overestimate your limits. Using the wrong technique or skipping rest days can lead to sprains, strains, or worse. If you’re working out at home, make sure to take the time to learn proper movements, and if you’re trying something new, consider working with a trainer initially.
“The goal isn’t to avoid these activities—it’s to enjoy them safely. With the right preparation, people can significantly reduce the chances of ending up in the ER.”
Disclaimer: This press release was not written by a medical or legal professional and should not be considered as medical or legal advice.
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About Injured In Florida
Injured in Florida is a personal injury law firm based in Florida, dedicated to helping individuals recover compensation for injuries from accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, as well as slip and falls, dog bites, work accidents, and wrongful deaths. Founded in 2004, SKG emphasizes personalized attention, aggressive legal representation, and no fees unless the case is won. With multiple offices across Florida, SKG aims to relieve clients’ financial stress and ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.
Methodology
Data was sourced from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), managed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This dataset tracks emergency department-treated injuries across a sample of hospitals in the U.S. We gathered the total number of injuries for each sport and ranked them from highest to lowest, calculating the percentage of total sports injuries attributed to each activity.
It’s important to note that this ranking is based on total injury numbers and does not adjust for participation rates. As a result, the sports with the highest injury numbers reflect a combination of inherent risk and popularity, since the data represents injuries per 100,000 people in the general population, not per 100,000 participants in each sport.
In some cases, there may be missing data for certain activities due to gaps in collection. For more detailed information, you can explore the CPSC’s NEISS Query Builder at CPSC NEISS Query Builder.
Sources:
https://health.costhelper.com/broken-leg.html
https://health.costhelper.com/acl-reconstruction.html
Full Dataset Available Upon Request
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
