A study analyzing U.S. emergency-department data found that children’s pickleball injuries reached an estimated 3,011 cases, 58.4% of which were concentrated in 2024. The most common injury site was the face, and patients were predominantly boys (61.4%) and those aged 13 to 17 (57.4%). With the rapid expansion of the playing population, it revealed that the base of injuries—until now considered centered on older people—is also spreading to children.
推計3,011件、6割近くが2024年に集中
The research team used data from the U.S. National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for 2014 to 2024 and calculated children’s pickleball injuries at an estimated 3,011 cases. Notably, 58.4% of these were concentrated in the single year of 2024. This shows that the sport spread rapidly among children and injuries surfaced in proportion.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Estimated number of injuries | About 3,011 cases |
| Share in 2024 | 58.4％ |
| Share who were boys | 61.4％ |
| Share aged 13 to 17 | 57.4％ |
| Share who were hospitalized | About 4% |
| Data period | 2014–2024 (NEISS) |
顔面が27.1％、裂傷が23.8％
負傷の種類で最も多かったのは顔面の負傷で27.1％、次いで裂傷が23.8％だった。さらに細かく見ると、顔面の裂傷（18.8％）、足首の捻挫（8.9％）、脳震盪・閉鎖性頭部外傷（6.9％）が上位を占めた。打球やパドル、転倒が顔まわりに集中しやすい傾向がある。
男児と13〜17歳が過半数
Of the patients, 61.4% were boys, and by age, those 13 to 17 made up a majority at 57.4%. Injuries are biased toward the adolescent generation that takes part in sports actively. On the other hand, age-based differences were also reported: younger children tend to suffer lacerations, while older children tend to injure their knees or shoulders. About 4% were hospitalized, and most cases did not become severe.
全体の負傷件数も急増の傾向
この研究はNEISSという全米規模の救急傷害データベースに基づく。同じデータベースを使った別の分析でも、ピックルボール負傷全体が2014年の1,313件から2023年には24,461件へと急増しており、競技の普及と負傷件数が連動している傾向が一貫している。子どもの負傷急増も、この大きな潮流の一部に位置づけられる。
安全な普及に向けた課題
顔面負傷が最多という結果は、子どものプレーで打球やパドルが顔に当たるリスクが小さくないことを示す。間隔を取ったコート運用や、年齢に応じたルール・用具の配慮が、安全な裾野拡大の鍵になると考えられる。競技を子ども世代へ広げるうえで、楽しさと同時に負傷予防の視点を備えておく必要がある。
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Source:Pediatric pickleball injuries: multi-center database analysis (Am J Emerg Med) / Medscape / Pediatric Pickleball Injuries Surge in 2024
