Table 2.

Extrapolated Estimates of the Direct Medical Costs Associated With Injuries Attributable to Sport Specialization

Population, Millionsa	Prevalence of Specialization, %b	Highly Specialized, No.c	% Injuredd	Injuries in Highly Specialized Athletes, No.e	Cost Per Injury, $ Rangef	Range of Total Direct Medical Costs Associated With Specializationg
45	13.4	6 030 000	21	1 266 300	640–1095	810 432 000–1 386 598 500
60	13.4	8 040 000	21	1 688 400	640–1095	1 080 576 000–1 848 798 000
45	38	17 100 000	21	3 591 300	640–1095	2 298 432 000–3 932 473 500
60	38	22 800 000	21	4 788 000	640–1095	2 064 320 000–5 242 860 000

^aEstimates of population that participate in youth sports (5–18 years of age).

^bMinimum and maximum estimates of the prevalence of highly specialized athletes.

^cFirst column × second column.

^dPercentage of highly specialized athletes who are injured during a season.²⁰

^eThird column × fourth column.

^fEstimated average cost per musculoskeletal injury (95% confidence interval) adjusted for inflation.

^gEstimated total costs of injuries in highly specialized athletes.