Self-reported Injury and Physical Activity Levels: United States 2000 to 2002

Purpose The aim of the study is to compare national estimates of the incidence of self-reported all-cause and activity-specific injuries in adults with differing leisure-time physical activity levels. Methods Data were analyzed from the 2000 to 2002 National Health Interview Survey. Leisure-time physical activity levels were categorized as active, insufficiently active, and inactive. Results Age-adjusted incidences of all-cause injury did not differ by leisure-time physical activity level (active, 89.3/1000; 95% confidence interval [CI], 81.8–96.8; insufficiently active, 81.6/1000; 95% CI, 73.1–90.1; and inactive, 86.3/1000; 95% CI, 78.6–93.9). Active respondents (29.4/1000; 95% CI, 25.2–33.6) had a greater incidence of injury related to sport and leisure-time activities than inactive respondents (15.2/1000; 95% CI, 12.1–18.3), whereas inactive respondents (71.1/1000; 95% CI, 63.9–78.2) had a greater incidence of injury related to nonsport and non–leisure-time activities than active respondents (59.9/1000; 95% CI, 53.6–66.2). Results were unchanged after multivariate control for confounding factors. Conclusions Although the incidence of sport and leisure-time injuries is associated with participation in leisure-time physical activity, no association was observed between leisure-time physical activity and overall injuries.