INJURY RATES FROM WALKING, GARDENING, WEIGHTLIFTING, OUTDOOR BICYCLING, AND AEROBICS

Purpose: The objective of this survey was to estimate the frequency of injuries associated with five commonly performed moderately intense a ctivities: walking for exercise, gardening and yard work, weightliftin g, aerobic dance, and outdoor bicycling. Methods: National estimates w ere derived from weighted responses of over 5,000 individuals contacte d between April 28 and September 18, 1994, via random-digit dialing of U.S. residential telephone numbers. Self-reported participation in th ese five activities in the late spring and summer of 1994 was common, ranging from an estimated 14.5 +/- 1.2% of the population for aerobics (nearly 30 million people) to 73.0 +/- 1.5% for walking (about 138 mi llion people). Results: Among participants, the activity-specific 30-d prevalence of injury ranged from 0.9 +/- 0.5% for outdoor bicycle rid ing to 2.4 +/- 1.3% for weightlifting. The estimated number of people injured in the 30 d before their interview ranged from 330,000 for out door bicycle riding to 2.1 million for gardening or yard work. Inciden ce rates for injuries causing reduced participation in activity were 1 .1 +/- 0.5 . 100 participants 30 d for walking, 1.1 +/- 0.4 for garden ing, and 3.3 +/- 1.9 for weightlifting. During walking and gardening, men and women were equally likely to be injured, but younger people (1 8-44 yr) were more likely to be injured than older people (45 + yr). I njury rates were low, yet large numbers of people were injured because participation rates were high. Most injuries were minor, but injuries may reduce participation in these otherwise beneficial activities. Co nclusions: Additional studies to confirm the magnitude of the problem, to identify modifiable risk factors, and to recommend methods to redu ce the frequency of such injuries are needed.