The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report, Hospitalised sports injury, Australia, 2016-17, has found almost one-third - a total of 32 per cent - of the relevant injuries were sustained while playing one of Australlia's codes of football.

According to Ruth Scanlan, an emergency department nurse practitioner, the types of sporting injuries seen at Wagga Base Hospital tended to depend largely on the season.

She said winter tended to bring more foot and ankle injuries, for example, that were associated with football and netball, while summer was prime time for finger injuries caused by cricketing mishaps.

Summer also bring injuries from water sports, like ankle and knee issues, Ms Scanlan said.

While Ms Scanlan said there was always a risk of injuries associated with sport, it was important to minimise this by using the recommended protective gear.

She also said it was important to have sporting injuries checked over by a health professional.

"Many Australians participate regularly in sport and physical recreation activities, and it's clear that we are a nation of sport-lovers," said spokesperson Professor James Harrison from the AIHW's national injury surveillance unit, based at Flinders University.

"Participation in sport contributes positively to a range of physical, mental and social health outcomes - just 30 minutes of physical activity a day can lead to a happier and healthier lifestyle-however playing sport does not come without risk."

Football injuries, including Australian Rules football, rugby league and rugby union combined and soccer, each accounted for about 8 per cent of injuries, plus almost 2 per cent for touch football. Most football injuries were to the hips and legs at 30 per cent, followed by the head and neck at 25 per cent.

"Cycling injuries accounted for around 11 per cent of those admitted to hospital," Professor Harrison said.

A little more than a quarter - 20 per cent - of all hospitalisations for sports injuries were for women or girls. Among females, equestrian activities accounted for 11 per cent, followed by netball at 10 per cent and cycling on 7 per cent.

For all sports combined, most injuries were to the hips and legs at 28 per cent, followed by the shoulders and arms, 24 per cent.

One in 10 sports injuries were life-threatening, with swimming and diving injuries making up 27 per cent of life-threatening cases, followed by cycling and equestrian, which each accounted for 24 per cent, Professor Harrison said.

An additional 7 per cent of injuries - about 3800 - resulted in an intracranial injury. This figure includes cases of concussion, and other traumatic brain injuries.

Factoring in the number of participants, the sport with the highest rate of participation-based hospitalisation was wheeled motor sports, such as motorcycling and go-carting, with 1280 hospitalisations per 100,000 participants.

This was followed by rugby, and roller sports, such as roller skating and skateboarding, with a rate of 1180 and 1175 per 100,000 participants, respectively.

Fitness and gym activities and walking had much lower rates at 10 and 12 hospitalisations per 100,000 participants, respectively.

The report did not cover emergency department presentations where a patient was treated without admission to hospital.