Abstract

Abstract taken from: Mummery, W. K., Spence, J. C., Voaklander, D., & Vincenten, J. (1998). A descriptive epidemiology of sport and recreation injuries in a population-based sample: results from the Alberta Sport and Recreation Injury Survey (ASRIS). Canadian Journal of Public Health, 89, 53-56.

The 1996 Alberta Sport and Recreation Injury Survey is a retrospective study describing the annual incidence of injuries in the province of Alberta resulting from sport and recreational involvement. Data was collected by means of a telephone survey using random digit dialling techniques to obtain a representative sample of Albertans in the winter of 1995-96. The sample produced a total of 3790 respondents from 1478 households evenly split between genders, with an age range of 6 to 93 years. 

The survey asked information regarding medically attended, non-fatal injuries resulting from sport and recreational activities. Results show that 83% of Albertans particpated in at least one sport or recreational activity in the 12-month period prior to the survey. Males (84.4%) reported higher participation rates than females (81.8%). Findings reveal an annual incidence of sport or recreational injuries of 10.8%.

Based upon this rate, it is estimated that 246,888 sport or recreational injuries were experienced in 12 months prior to the study (95% Confidence Intervals 224,028 - 269,748). Among those reporting a sport or recreational injury, the most common types of injuries were a sprained/torn ligament (31.2%), strained/pulled muscle (18.8%), and fracture (13.4%). The most common bodily locations of injuries were the knees (20.9%) and the ankles (14.4%).