A protocolled interview was carried out of 150 physical education students to specify retrospectively all sports injuries sustained during their training. This study analyses the frequency, severity and location of injuries sustained by a population group participating in 13 different sports. On average more than three injuries were encountered per student over a mean period of 2.35 years. 74% of all 482 recorded injuries were sustained by males. The sports associated with the highest rate of injuries were gymnastics, skiing and athletics followed by ball games. The most frequently injured body regions were the ankle and the hand. 29% of the injuries were regarded as being severe.