The dark side of outdoor sports
Exercise is healthy. The downside is that people who exercise can get hurt. Around 40,000 people are injured every year while jogging, hiking or walking, 70 percent of them by tripping or falling. Eight people are killed in these accidents. This can be prevented.
It is getting warmer outside and the days are getting longer. This motivates many people to exercise outdoors in their free time. "Jogging, hiking and walking have long been popular popular sports, because exercise is fundamentally healthy and prolongs life expectancy," says Erwin von Moos, Suva's leisure time expert. Nevertheless, it doesn't take much and a stumble leads to a fall, an injury - often with loss of work - is the result.
More than two-thirds are trip and fall accidents
Over the past ten years, accidents while jogging, hiking and walking have steadily increased. According to Suva, there were just under 30,000 accidents in 2011. Currently, there are already more than 40,000 accidents per year on average. And the trend is rising. This is roughly equivalent to the population of Neuchâtel. Around 25,000 (70 percent) are trip and fall accidents.
From April to August, the number of accidents rises, after which they fall again, as Suva writes. The increase would develop disproportionately to the population growth. Von Moos confirms, "Outdoor activities are in trend and Corona has reinforced this. You can also see that in the increased accident figures."
Women stumble and fall more than men from the age of 45 onwards
It is striking that among women aged 45 and older, accidents caused by tripping and falling while jogging, hiking and walking are increasing proportionately; this is not the case among men, Suva writes. More than 40 percent of all injuries involve the lower leg, ankle and foot, according to the data. This is followed by knee injuries. The most common injuries are sprains and strains, as well as muscle and tendon injuries. On average, those injured miss 18 days of work per accident. In addition to the more minor injuries, there are also around eight deaths and 33 IV pensions each year as a result of tripping and falling accidents while jogging, hiking or walking.
7 tips for avoidance
- Jog and hike only when you feel healthy.
- With a warm-up training you prepare your body better for missteps as well.
- Be present while jogging, hiking, and even walking and focus on the activity and the path - leave the cell phone in your jacket pocket.
- In addition to endurance, train strength and balance, because unexpected trip and fall situations can be better balanced with targeted strength and balance training.
- Wear suitable footwear with tread. Get advice from a professional when buying.
- Hike with the help of hiking poles. This reduces the physical strain and gives safety.
- No rush...take your time to get there.
Source: Suva
