Sports medicine stats: Youth football participation bucks overall sports trend
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
A recent study reveals a disturbing statistic: the five-year trend for all sports participation continues to show declines. From 2008-2012, soccer participation dropped by 7.1 percent, baseball participation fell by 7.2 percent and basketball participation declined by 8.3 percent.
However, football showed the smallest decline, 5.4 percent, over the same span. In fact, this study shows the number of football players 8 or younger increased by 10.2 percent from 2012 to 2013.
-Source: Sports and Fitness Industry Association, USA Football
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
A recent study reveals a disturbing statistic: the five-year trend for all sports participation continues to show declines. From 2008-2012, soccer participation dropped by 7.1 percent, baseball participation fell by 7.2 percent and basketball participation declined by 8.3 percent.