Rotorua's sports ACC injury claims

FILE

The number of people injured while playing sport in Rotorua has risen, but some say it shouldn't stop people from staying active.

Latest ACC figures reveal there were 7841 sports-related injury claims in the Rotorua district in 2013. The figures are up on previous years with 6406 claims in 2011 and 6955 in 2012.

The sport with the highest number of injury claims was cycling with 877 last year, closely followed by rugby union, then mountain biking, netball, rugby league and football.

Sports that resulted in the least broken bones, knocks and bruises in the region were rollerblading, polo, windsurfing, hang-gliding and all-terrain vehicle sports.

An ACC spokeswoman said it was important to take into account that those sports with the lowest number of injury claims were also likely to have lower participation numbers.

"While claim numbers have increased, it is important to note that a significant proportion of sports-related claims are for minor injuries such as bruises, strains and sprains that may require no more than a single visit to the doctor," she said.

"It may also reflect increased participation rates in sporting activity in Rotorua."

Sport Bay of Plenty chief executive Heidi Lichtwark said 77 per cent of people in the Bay of Plenty region took part in one sport or recreation activity at least once a week, and there was a similar trend in the Rotorua district.

"I think compared to the number of people playing sports, it's a small number," she said.

"There are so many benefits from playing sport and being active, which far outweigh the risks of injury, which are minimal."

Ms Lichtwark said there were several ways people could minimise the risk of injury, including being aware of the conditions they were playing in, training correctly and listening to their coach's or trainer's advice.

Multi-Day Adventures and Mountain Bike Rotorua owner Tak Mutu said about 350,000 to 450,000 bikers visited Whakarewarewa Forest last year, and of that only a small number were injured.

Of those, many were minor injuries such as open wounds, without breaks, which at most required stitches, he said.

Rotorua physiotherapist Anthony Croucher said the number of clients he saw with sports-related injuries increased or decreased depending on the time of year and when different sports seasons began or ended.

He said it was important people who sustained injuries did not let it deter them from playing or keeping active.

Often, if done correctly, keeping moving could help a person recover better than if they didn't do any activity at all, he said.

National figures show there were 450,632 sport-related injury claims across the country last year.

Sports with the most ACC injury claims in Rotorua District 2013

Cycling: 877

Rugby union: 865

Mountain biking: 511

Netball: 501

Rugby league: 381

Soccer/football: 346

Fitness training/gym: 256

Basketball: 230

Waterskiing: 212

Luge riding: 209