@article{ref1,
title="Costs associated with women's physical activity musculoskeletal injuries: the Women's Injury Study",
journal="Journal of physical activity and health",
year="2014",
author="Kaplan, Robert M. and Herrmann, Alison K. and Morrison, James T. and Defina, Laura F. and Morrow, James R.",
volume="11",
number="6",
pages="1149-1155",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Despite benefits of physical activity (PA), exercise is also associated with risks. Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) risk increases with exercise frequency/intensity. MSI is associated with costs including medical care and time lost from work. <br><br>PURPOSE: To evaluate the economic costs associated with PA-related MSIs in community-dwelling women. <br><br>METHOD: Participants included 909 women in the Women's Injury Study reporting PA behaviors and MSI incidence weekly via the Internet for up to 3 years (mean follow-up 1.89 years). Participants provided consent to obtain health records. Costs were estimated by medical records and self-reports of medical care. Components included physician visits, medical facility contacts, medication costs, and missed work. <br><br>RESULTS: Of 909 participants, 243 reported 323 episodes of expenditure or contact with the health care system associated with PA. Total costs of episodes ranged from $0-$18,934. Modal cost was $0 (mean = $433 ± $1670). Costs were positively skewed with nearly all participants reporting no or very low costs. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: About 1 in 4 community-dwelling women who are physically active experienced a PA-related MSI. The majority of injuries were minor, and large expenses associated with MSI were rare. The long-term health benefits and costs savings resulting from PA likely outweigh the minor costs associated with MSI from a physically-active lifestyle.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1543-3080",
doi="10.1123/jpah.2012-0459",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2012-0459"
}