Sports participation has never been higher in France, but this is accompanied by an increasingly clear observation:  risks of injury The impact of business interruptions and lost income is largely underestimated. In a context where padel is booming and amateur athletes are becoming increasingly involved, the question of  social protection and insurance  becomes central.

 Rebecca Janin ,  Allianz General Agent  specializing in  heritage and social protection  with the help of ADSP  (The magazine of the High Council for Public Health) tells us more.

 Millions of athletes… and very real risks 

In France, almost  15 million people are registered with a sports federation and several tens of millions engage in regular physical activity.

But behind this positive momentum, the figures are undeniable:

  •  3 million sports accidents  are recorded each year among adults
  • Sports injuries represent  nearly 20% of personal injury accidents  in France
  • Around  30,000 hospitalizations annually  are related to sports practice

In other words, sport, even amateur sport, exposes one to concrete risks that can impact personal and professional life.

 Padel is no exception to the rule 

Padel, a rapidly growing sport, is often perceived as accessible and low-risk. However, recent studies have nuanced this perception.

A scientific study conducted on French players reveals that:

  •  52% of players suffered at least one injury in a year 
  • The incidence rate reached  5,4 injuries per 1000 hours of play 
  •  36% of injuries result in a work stoppage of more than 28 days 

The most affected areas are the  Achilles' tendon ,  elbow  or  of the  typical injuries in racket sports, but which can have lasting consequences.

Preventing injuries in padel: methods that allow you to play longer
Padel, a sport that could extend life expectancy?

 A direct impact on income and professional life 

Contrary to popular belief, the consequences of a sports injury are not solely physical.

A break of several weeks can lead to:

  • another  loss of income  for the self-employed
  • another  decline in professional activity 
  • des  high medical and rehabilitation costs 

In reality, many amateur athletes only have one  minimum coverage , often limited to the civil liability included in their license or home insurance.

However, this coverage does not always protect:

  • against the  loss of income 
  • against the  temporary or long-term disabilities 
  • nor against the indirect consequences of an accident
Sport and insurance: why protecting participants is becoming a major issue

 Protection is still insufficient for amateur athletes 

The legislation requires sports organizations to subscribe to a  liability insurance covering damages caused to others.

But that does not mean that the athlete himself is properly protected.

In reality:

  • Many practitioners are unaware of the limits of their coverage
  • Traditional insurance policies are rarely adapted to the specific needs of sports.
  • the guarantees linked to the  intensive practice  often remain insufficient

This gap is even more pronounced in rapidly growing sports like padel, where practice is intensifying quickly without systematic adaptation of protection.

 Towards a new approach: insurance designed for athletes 

In light of these observations, a change is necessary: ​​to offer solutions designed specifically for practitioners.

The challenge is no longer simply to cover an accident, but to secure the entire sporting event:

  •  anticipate injuries 
  •  protect income 
  •  to support the recovery 
  • adapt the guarantees to  level of practice  (leisure, competition, intensive)

This approach also requires a better understanding of the field, the constraints of the sport and the realities experienced by the players.

 A market in full structuring 

With the rise of padel and the increase in the number of players, the demand for suitable solutions is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

In an environment where sport is becoming a regular, even intensive, activity for millions of French people, the  protection of athletes  This is emerging as a public health issue, but also an economic one.

The question is therefore no longer whether athletes should be insured, but  how they should be .

 Sources: Wikipedia / Science Direct / ADSP 

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