Being physically active is beneficial, but it carries the risk of injury. According to data from the National Safety Council, around 3 million people visit the emergency room annually due to sports-related injuries. Fortunately, 90% of patients who are treated for sports injuries do not require hospitalization.
5 SPORTS HAVE THE MOST INJURIES
| 1. | Basketball |
| 2. | football |
| 3. | soccer |
| 4. | Baseball |
| 5. | hockey |
Almost any sport can be hazardous.
A bowling ball could land on your foot.
When walking down the fairway, you could get struck by a golf ball.
But, other sports are inherently harmful. If you wish to participate, you must accept the likelihood that you will be harmed, injured, or possibly killed.
Then there is the most dangerous sport of all, which requires participants to risk everything, always.
Before I expose the sport that is by far the most perilous, I would first like to discuss its 19 worthy competitors.
Here are the 8 most dangerous sports in the world.
Interestingly, exercise equipment like bicycles causes more injuries than team sports. Learn about the most dangerous sports and how to protect yourself and your family safe.
1. Basketball is the leading cause of injuries.
Basketball is a popular sport, with over 26 million 12 to 17-year-olds participating, but it causes the greatest injuries among players of all ages. In 2021, over 260,000 players were treated for injuries in the United States. Play it safe:
Use protective eyewear, elbow and knee pads, a mouth guard, and a sports brace (boys and men). Strength training can also prevent injuries.
2. Teenage football injuries are prevalent.
More than 220,000 Americans were treated for football-related injuries in 2021. Play it safe: Before playing, put on all pads and other safety equipment and warm up appropriately. Remind your youngster of proper tackling methods and the importance of minimizing head contact.
3. Contact and collisions are common in soccer.
Each year, over 140,000 people visit U.S. emergency departments due to soccer-related injuries. Crash or contact sports, such as soccer, football, basketball, and baseball, account for approximately 80% of all emergency department visits by children aged 5 to 14 resulting from sports-related injuries.
Always play it safe: For sports that include “heading,” ensure that the instructor teaches the children how to correctly use their heads to strike or play a ball.
4. Baseball and softball have inherent dangers.
Baseball and softball are risky activities that your child or you participate in for leisure. In 2021, more than 116,000 baseball and softball injuries were treated in U.S. emergency departments.
Always play it safe: Use detachable bases and necessary safety equipment, such as a batting helmet and shin and elbow protection. Warm up before playing as well. Before playing ball, warm up by stretching and getting your heart rate up.
5. The sport that produces the most concussions is ice hockey.
Skating-related activities, including ice hockey, rank fifth on the list of sports that cause injuries. Each year, about 70,000 skating-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms. Always play it safe: Reduce head contact when playing. Don’t bear the pain. As with any sport, encourage your child to notify an adult if he or she suspects an injury.
6. Golf is riskier than it appears.
Even though golf is not a contact sport, it still causes almost 60,000 injuries per year. More alarming is the fact that golf causes more injuries than rugby. In addition to stress and overuse injuries, golf carts and wayward golf balls cause other injuries. Always play it safe: Be vigilant when playing golf.
7. Snow skiing and snowboarding necessitate the use of a helmet.
Although skiing and snowboarding are viewed by some as dangerous sports, their injury rate is lower than that of many of the more popular sports on this list. Yet, these winter sports cause approximately 57,000 accidents annually.
Snowboarding has a greater injury rate than skiing, but skiing injuries are more severe. Use protective headgear when engaging in either of these activities.
8. Cheerleading
Cheerleaders are the punchline of numerous jokes that criticize the athleticism of its members.
But do not be deceived by their cheerful demeanor and smiles.
Cheerleading accidents account for roughly two-thirds of all catastrophic injuries in high school athletics for girls.
Some cheerleaders are launched thirty feet into the air. If their teammate is unable to catch them, they are not equipped with any protective gear to cushion their fall.
Although certain feats are performed on padded mats, there are proportionally more head injuries suffered by high school cheering than by high school football. Due to all of their stunts, cheerleaders may sustain leg and ankle injuries.
There is much more to cheerleading than pom-poms and cheers. Sometimes, a trip to the emergency room is required.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Being physically active is beneficial, but it carries the risk of injury. According to data from the National Safety Council, around 3 million people visit the emergency room annually due to sports-related injuries. Fortunately, 90% of patients who are treated for sports injuries do not require hospitalization.
1. Basketball
2. football
3. soccer
4. Baseball
5. hockey