More West Yorkshire firefighters are injured through lifting and carrying than any other cause, the Telegraph & Argus can reveal.

And the numbers hurt playing sport or keeping fit outstrips injuries suffered through fire, heat or smoke.

In 2007/8, 59 fire service personnel were hurt lifting, carrying or handling. Over the past five years those injuries total 273 – making it by far the most common cause of injury.

Information obtained by the Telegraph & Argus under the Freedom of Information Act also shows eight firefighters in the region were injured during fitness training last year and four while playing on-duty sport.

Only two were hurt by coming into contact with hot embers or liquid and four by exposure to heat or smoke. A West Yorkshire Fire Service spokesman said: “Obviously it is important firefighters keep operationally fit. Traditionally, contact sports have caused a lot of injuries.”

In September 2006, the West Yorkshire service banned crews from playing contact sports such as volleyball and football because of injuries.

Five people were injured playing sport in 2004/5, and only one the following year. In the year 2006/7 there were no injuries from playing sport.

All stations in the region are fitted with their own gym equipment which they use to keep fit, and non-contact sports are still allowed.

The spokesman said: “Since the ban injuries have been reduced. There will always be accidents though, but we want to minimise these. There aren’t many injuries caused by fire, it tends to be trips and falls. If you go into a burning building with debris all around it’s going to happen.”

Six firefighters were injured by flying or falling objects last year and four by windblown objects. Eight were injured while preparing food. In all the number of injuries suffered by the West Yorkshire Fire service was lower in 2007/8 than for the previous five years.

Bradford Councillor Valerie Binney, chairman of West Yorkshire Fire Authority’s audit committee, said: “The ban on contact sports has made a difference but they are still human beings and they hurt themselves. The crews have to keep fit and there are bound to be a few injuries.”