Over the past two years, 400,000 Dutch individuals have stopped participating in sports due to injuries, according to SafetyNL, RIVM, and the Central Bureau of Statistics. Experts find this number concerning, indicating significant room for improvement in injury prevention.
Nearly half of the nine million weekly Dutch sports participants in 2023 experienced injuries, with football, running, and fitness being the most injury-prone sports. Knees, ankles, and backs are the most commonly injured body parts.
While most injured athletes resume sports, many are permanently sidelined, particularly in running and football. Preventive measures and better treatment could reduce injuries, as emphasized by experts like Professor Hans Tol from Amsterdam UMC.
Training programs, such as those by Dave Baars of Running Holland, stress the importance of fitness assessments and proper technique to prevent injuries. Baars also highlights the risks of overambition and emphasizes patience and gradual progress in training.
Source: NOS