10 November 2022 – Podium Analytics (“Podium”), the NGO and charity committed to reducing injury in sport, has published the findings from its Safety in Sport Perception Survey, conducted in collaboration with YouGov.

The findings affirm Podium’s commitment to ensuring long-term participation in sport. They also highlight the need for additional research in sports injury at youth and grassroots level.

The survey, of 2,259 respondents across the UK, found that:

• Nearly 8 in 10 (78%) of respondents with a preferred sport (they watch, follow or play) are supportive of rule changes which aim to reduce the incidence and impact of injury.
• 40% of respondents have experienced a sports-related injury. Over one in three (34%) are still affected by the injury today. Of 18–24-year-olds who have suffered at least one sports injury, 9% stated the injury has resulted in a permanent disability.
• Almost nine in ten (89%) of respondents with children expect schools to record and monitor sports-related injuries, and 37% of parents/guardians are worried about their child getting injured playing sport.
• Half (52%) of respondents agreed that they would be more likely to get injured if participating in sport in a poor state of mind. Yet only 19% of respondents know where to access information on mental health issues in sport.

Andy Hunt, CEO of Podium Analytics, commented: “It is clear that sports injury is common, can have a lifelong impact, and that parents are worried. The fact that nearly one-in-ten of the 18–24-year-olds who have suffered at least one sports injury believe it has resulted in a permanent disability is deeply concerning, so it is no surprise that there is widespread support for rule changes.

“The results also show a vast perception gap amongst parents when it comes to responsibility for tracking sport injuries. 89% of parents expect schools to record and monitor sports-related injury, yet our analysis suggests that less than 5% of schools actually do so[1]. No doubt that is because there is currently no legal requirement[2] to record sports-related injuries, or due to the fact that, until now, there has been no central system for teachers and coaches to log injuries. Either way, these results show there are clear issues for Podium, Sports Governing Bodies, Government, and other stakeholders, to address to help reduce injury in sport.”

[1] As suggested by Podium’s landscape analysis
[2] Under ‘Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013’ (RIDDOR)

ENDS

Media contacts

H/Advisors Maitland - podiumanalytics@h-advisors.global
Frederica Bendit - 07557 833 442 // 0207 379 5151

About Podium Analytics

Podium Analytics is an NGO, registered as a charity (England and Wales) with a vision to create a safer world of sport. Founded by Ron Dennis CBE, its mission is to significantly reduce the incidence and impact of sports injury, with a focus on 11–18-year-olds. Podium’s team is made up of hand-picked specialists with proven expertise in business, academia, science, technology and sport, who share in a sense of responsibility for shaping a safer legacy for sport.

podiumanalytics.org

About the Perception Survey

Podium Analytics conducted its Safety in Sport Perception Survey in July 2022 in collaboration with YouGov and its Sports Governing Body partners (RFU, England Athletics, England Hockey). Designed to become an annual public tracking tool for the status of real and perceived issues in sports safety, the study is intended to provide insight into the public’s perceptions, attitudes and behaviours around sports safety and sports injury and, over time, will assess the public’s general understanding and awareness of sports safety as an issue. This inaugural report presents the results from the 2022 study based on a representative sample of 2,259 participants from the UK adult population, and includes clear recommendations for action.