The majority of these deaths were from collisions with motor vehicles. In 1998, more than 27,500 children ages 5 to 14 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for skateboarding- related injuries. Each year, nearly 20 children ages 14 and under die from plaground equipment-related injuries. In 1998, more than 230,000 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for playground equipment-related injuries. Children are at greater risk than adults from sports and recreational injuries since they are unable to assess the risks involved and have less coordination, slower reaction times, and less accuracy.
Children develop at different rates, both physically and psychologically.
A less developed child competing against a more mature child of the same age and weight is at a disadvantage and may be at a greater risk for injury. The rate and severity for sports-related injury increases with a child's age. Prior to the onset of puberty, the risk of sports-related injury between boys and girls is the same, as they are approximately the same size and weight. During puberty, boys are injured more frequently and severely than girls. In addition, boys are more likely than girls to suffer from multiple injuries.