Non-occupational accident statistics: More sports accidents among older persons
In recent years, there has been a particular increase in the number of sports accidents involving people aged 65 and over who are injured, for example during cross-country skiing and mountain hiking. This is shown in the new "Status 2022" report by the Swiss Federal Accident Prevention Bureau (BFU). It also looks at accidents on the roads and in the home and leisure sector.
Sports are good for your health, but accidents happen all the time. According to the annual balance "Status 2022" of the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention, a total of 430,000 people in Switzerland were affected by accidents at home and abroad last year. However, it is striking that the number of senior citizens has doubled in the past ten years. The accidents occur, for example, while cross-country skiing. In mountain hiking, every third injured person is over 64 years old. Accidents during mountain hiking account for 41 percent of injuries during sports in this age group.
More accidents in old age - aging population
The BFU assumes that the sports accidents in this age group can be attributed to the aging population, because people are generally getting older today. They are also fitter for longer and do sports for longer. Nevertheless, fitness, surefootedness and the ability to keep one's balance decline with increasing age.
However, men are usually more likely to be affected by serious accidents. Men are affected by over 80 percent of fatal sports accidents. This is also reflected in road traffic. Male road users are affected by serious injuries in three quarters of cases. Women, on the other hand, have more accidents in the home and leisure sector. Falls in particular account for the lion's share of most accidents there.
Source: AAIB
