COVID-19 restrictions on organised sport from March 2020 resulted in a drop in injuries and hospitalisations for winter sports, like football, while those for solo activities such as cycling rose.

A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Sports injury hospitalisations in Australia, 2019–20, shows there were 7,800 fewer Australians admitted to hospital for injuries sustained while playing sport in 2019–20 compared with the previous year, a 13 per cent drop.

There were 52,300 Australians hospitalised for sport injuries in the COVID-19 affected 2019–20 seasons, compared with 60,000 in 2018–19.

AIHW spokesperson, Marissa Veld, said the most significant decrease in hospitalisations was seen among the traditional winter sports.

Australian rules football recorded a 46% drop in injuries, followed by 43 per cent across rugby league and union combined, and 34 per cent in soccer.

“Of the 7,800 fewer hospitalisations in 2019–20, males accounted for over 80% (6,300) of the reduction, likely due to the types of sports that males tend to play during the winter when COVID-19 restrictions started, such as AFL and rugby,” Ms Veld said.

There were more than twice as many males (36,400) hospitalised for sports injuries than females (15,900) in 2019–20.

However, Australians turning to solo activities from early 2020 led to a marked increase in the number of people hospitalised for roller sport and cycling injuries, recording a 27% and 21% increase respectively.’

Males aged 15 to 19 had the highest rate of hospitalised injury, and for females the highest rate was recorded in those aged 10 to 14.

Overall, the sports responsible for the most hospitalisations in 2019–20 all involved wheels—cycling accounted for around 15% of those admitted to hospital, followed by wheeled motor sports (7%) and roller sports (7%).

For all sports combined, most injuries were to the hips and legs (28%), followed by the shoulder and arms (26%). Just over half of all hospitalisations were for fractures.

An additional 6% (2,900) of injuries were for a head injury, with the majority (2,300) treated for concussion.

The report does not cover emergency department presentations where a patient was treated without admission to hospital.

The AIHW is seeking feedback on the National sports injury data strategy – Draft consultation report to better understand how injury is currently reported, and potential ways to improve data collection in community sport. Click here to provide feedback on the draft report.

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