(CNN) Youth soccer in the United States has exploded in popularity since it first emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. Sprains or strains were the most common injuries, accounting for 34.6% of all injuries, followed by fractures, which represented 23.2% of all injuries. The study is the most comprehensive analysis of youth soccer injuries, but it may actually underestimate the number of soccer-related injuries; the study evaluated only emergency room visits. By 1990, more than 1.5 million children between 5 and 19 were registered with US Youth Soccer . Keeping the head out of the gameWhen it came to head injuries, concussions and other closed head injuries accounted for just 7.3% of all injuries in the study period.

Source: CNN September 12, 2016 04:07 UTC