The Sports Most Likely to Send Michiganders to the Emergency Room

Exercise and exercise equipment were associated with the highest number of injury-related emergency department visits, totaling 564,845 cases in a single year. Cycling followed closely with 454,008 injuries, while basketball accounted for 385,777 visits, making it the most injury-prone organized team sport. 

Football and wheeled recreational devices such as skateboards, scooters, and hoverboards also contributed heavily to ER volume, reinforcing the risks tied to both contact sports and balance-based activities.

The top 10 sports and recreational activities that caused the most emergency department visits 

Age plays a significant role in determining who is most likely to be injured during sports and recreation. Among the five sports associated with the highest injury counts, adults aged 25 to 64 experienced the highest number of injuries, with exercise equipment and bicycles contributing the most. 

Children aged 5 to 14 were also heavily affected, with football and basketball driving the majority of injuries in this age group. Young adults aged 15 to 24 had substantial injury counts as well, particularly in basketball and football, while older adults aged 65 and over were most often injured using exercise equipment or bicycles, highlighting balance and fall-related concerns.

The top five most dangerous sports/activities broken down by age group 

Injury patterns differ sharply by gender across sports and recreational activities. Males accounted for nearly two-thirds of all injury-related emergency department visits, with close to 2.88 million cases compared to approximately 1.47 million among females. 

Football injuries among men were 91.2% higher than among women, while basketball injuries were nearly 77% higher for males. Cycling injuries were also skewed towards men, with injury rates roughly 69% higher, reflecting increased risk in high-speed and contact-heavy sports.

The top five most dangerous sports’ male-to-female injury ratio 

Several activities showed higher injury rates among females than males. Horseback riding injuries among women were more than one-and-a-half times higher than among men, while volleyball injuries were over twice as high for females. Skating and track-related activities also saw higher injury counts among women, showing that injury risk is not evenly distributed across genders and varies significantly by sport.

The only sports where females reported more injuries than males 

The data also shows a clear upward trend in sports and recreational injuries over time. Emergency department visits increased by 19.7% from 2020 to 2021, followed by another 12.4% rise from 2021 to 2022. Although growth slowed between 2022 and 2023, injuries surged again from 2023 to 2024, rising by 17.4% in a single year, showing another escalation in injury-related ER visits.

Dennis Hernandez, founder attorney of Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, commented on the findings: 

“This data really shows how common these injuries are during everyday activities that people don’t usually think twice about. Whether it’s cycling, going to the gym, or playing pickup sports, a lot of injuries happen during routine use, not extreme situations.

“Wearing basic protective gear like helmets, mouthguards, or wrist guards can make a real difference, especially in sports where falls and collisions are common. In gyms, many injuries come from lifting too much too fast or using equipment incorrectly, which is why proper form and pacing matter. 

“For kids, injuries often happen when protective gear is skipped, or equipment isn’t suited to their age or size. Adults should also be mindful when returning to activity after time off, since that’s when strains and falls are more likely. Older adults can reduce risk by focusing on balance and stability rather than intensity. Simple precautions can help reduce injury risk across many of these activities.”

Source: 

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/safety-topics/sports-and-recreational-injuries/

Methodology: 

The most recent data (2024) was sourced from the National Safety Council to determine the sports and activities that result in the most visits to the emergency department. Data was segmented by sport, age group, and gender to identify trends.

Total estimated sports and recreational activities injuries reported for 2024