Some 400,000 people stop taking part in sport for good following an injury, despite the health benefits that regular physical exercise brings, according to a new report.

Almost half of all nine million people who took part in sport every weekend in 2023 sustained an injury, figures from VeiligheidNL, health institute RIVM and the CBS show. Football resulted in the most injuries, followed by running and exercising at the gym. Knees bore the brunt, but ankle and back injuries were also rife.

Most people pick up where they left off after a time but some 400,000 never return to sports, experts told broadcaster NOS. The number of quitters, they say, could be brought down if the right preventive measures are taken.

Running school director Dave Baars said some runners do not have the right technique or keep running despite aches and pains. He also said some people are “too ambitious”.

“You particularly see that in Amsterdam. Ambitious people are often very disciplined. They are too eager, follow schedules and don’t listen to what their body is telling them. That’s when it goes wrong.”

Baars also said it’s important to keep playing sports from a young age. The number of youngsters who stop when they reach puberty has gone up since lockdown.

“Many people in their 20s find out they are not fit because they have not done anything for a few years. They lack strength and agility and that makes them more vulnerable to injury,” he said.