Exercise Equipment Tops Injury Risks for Older Americans

UNITED STATES (TXAN 24) — Exercise equipment is the leading cause of injuries among older Americans, according to a new national study examining emergency room visits tied to recreational activities.

The report found more than 470,000 adults aged 65 and older are injured each year using equipment such as treadmills, stationary bikes, and weight machines. That total is more than double the number of injuries linked to bicycling, the second most common cause.

Researchers analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, tracking which activities most frequently send seniors to the hospital. The findings show injury risk increases with age, with adults 85 and older experiencing the highest number of incidents involving exercise equipment.

Bicycling ranked second, accounting for more than 235,000 injuries annually, while activities like fishing, swimming, and ATV use also contributed to significant injury totals.

Despite being viewed as low-risk, even activities like fishing resulted in tens of thousands of injuries each year, often due to environmental hazards.

Legal experts note that many injuries may involve preventable factors, including inadequate safety warnings, poor equipment design, or lack of supervision, raising potential liability concerns in certain cases.