What activities cause most fractures?

When people think about broken bones, they often imagine dramatic events—car accidents, high-impact sports injuries, or falls from a height.

But what if most fractures actually happen during ordinary, everyday life?

A large Canadian study following over 9,000 adults for 10 years offers some insight: many fractures occur during routine daily activities—and the most common cause is falls, including falls around the home.

Fractures are not always limited to high-risk situations

The study tracked more than a thousand confirmed fractures and investigated not just what broke, but how it happened.

The findings were clear:

• About 65% of fractures occurred during everyday activities like slips and trips indoors or outdoors, or on stairs
• Falls were the leading cause of fractures across all types 
• Only about 6% of fractures were related to sports injuries

Fifty-eight percent of slips and trips resulting in hip fracture occurred in the home, while slips and trips outdoors resulted in more pelvic fractures (61%), wrist/forearm fractures (71%), and humerus (upper arm) fractures (62%).

In other words, fractures are not limited to high-risk situations—they can occur during daily activities. Click here to see the study.

Falls are the most common cause of fractures of the limbs AND spine

In this study:

• Falls accounted for 70–84% of non-spine fractures
• And nearly 40% of vertebral (spine) fractures

Many of these incidents happen at home—an environment we tend to see as safe.

This highlights a key message:

👉 Fall prevention is fracture prevention.

Not All Fractures Require a Fall

Another surprising finding is that not all fractures are linked to obvious injuries.

For example:

• Many vertebral fractures occurred without a fall or clear injury 

A small portion of spine fractures were associated with everyday movements like:

• Bending
• Lifting
• Carrying objects

While they were less frequent, they give some insight on how a spine fracture can occur without a fall. That said, lifting was a less frequent cause of spine fractures than falls.

Individuals also reported fractures occurring due to minor injuries (e.g., stubbed toe, hit bed frame), or seemingly innocuous activities (e.g., while walking, reaching, or performing household tasks). 

It’s a reminder that we may need to consider moving mindfully and learning to lift safely and within our abilities. 

Who Is Most at Risk?

While fractures can happen at any age, the study found clear patterns:

• 93% of fractures occurred in adults over age 50
• Most fractures occurred in women (82%)
• 84% occurred in individuals with lower bone density

This reinforces that fracture risk is multifactorial. Bone strength is important—but so are balance, environment, medications, and daily movement habits.

Are Exercise and Activity Safe?

A common concern is whether physical activity increases fracture risk.

The reassuring answer:
👉 Most fractures in this study were not caused by exercise or sport.

In fact:

• Sports accounted for only a small percentage of fractures 
• Regular physical activity is known to improve muscle strength, balance, and bone strength

While certain activities may pose risks in specific situations, avoiding movement altogether is not the solution. 

What This Means for Prevention

This research has important implications for how we approach fracture prevention:

1. Focus on Falls

Because falls are the leading cause, fracture prevention strategies should include:

• Fall risk screening
  
• Balance training
• Exercises to improve muscle strength and physical functioning

2. Make Everyday Environments Safer

Since many fractures happen at home:

• Remove tripping hazards
• Improve lighting
• Use supportive footwear

3. Pay Attention to How We Move

Simple changes in movement patterns can reduce strain and risk:

• Use slow and controlled movements - move mindfully
  
• Lift objects close to the body. If you have osteoporosis, don't lift really heavy objects if you don't regularly do so - work within your abilities

A Few Important Limitations

As with all research, there are some limitations to keep in mind:

• The participants were community-dwelling adults living near urban centers, so findings may not apply to all populations
• Fractures were self-reported before confirmation, which may introduce some reporting bias. However, fractures were verified using X-rays.
• Detailed information about exact activities at the time of fracture was limited.
• The study was done many years ago and fracture patterns or physical activity patterns may have changed. For example, many more people play pickleball now compared to when the study was done!

Even so, this is one of the most comprehensive studies examining how and when fractures actually happen, and it offers valuable real-world insights.

The Bottom Line

Fractures are not just the result of major accidents. They often occur during falls inside or outside the home. 

Prevention doesn’t require dramatic changes—it starts with awareness, safe movement, and reducing fall risk in daily life. Combine that with strategies to maintain or improve bone health, like adequate nutrition and exercise. 

✅ If there’s one takeaway:
We shouldn’t just ask, “How can I strengthen my bones?”

We should also ask:
👉 “How can I move more safely and confidently through my day?”