While some sports offer social and developmental benefits, others fall into the category of dangerous sports, carrying inherent risks and potential harms.
Sports is one of the activities that brings people from various cultures, nationalities, races and even religion together.
Irrespective of the competitive nature of most sporting activities, it still plays a major role in uniting people of various background towards goals.
Sports has its health benefits as much as it does with social and developmental benefits. But in all of this comes its dangers.
Here are 10 of the world’s most dangerous sports:
1. Base Jumping
This is an adrenaline filled sporting activity that requires the sportsperson to jump from a fixed object like; a cliff or building with a parachute. A lot can go wrong and go wrong irrevocably when base jumping. A few injuries base jumpers are prone to include: spinal injuries (possibly leading to paralysis), broken bones and even brain injuries. Tragically fatal injuries are not uncommon to this sport and this has made that base jumping is not a good idea to indulge for most people.
2. Big Wave Surfing
As the name implies, big wave surfing requires surfing waves that could get to 60 feet in height. This can be a tasking and dangerous act due to the unpredictable and dangerous currents and undertow. Big wave surfers are prone to injuries from falling off the board, hitting unseen objects or rocks underwater and even getting completely submerged by the waves. Any of these could easily lead to a fatal injury.
3. Bull Riding
Bull riding is an intense and physically demanding sport with a high risk of injury. Riders frequently get thrown off the bull, leading to various injuries such as fractures, sprains, strains, concussions, facial injuries, and damage to internal organs.
4. Cave Diving
Cave diving is an extreme underwater activity that involves navigating dark, enclosed spaces with no direct surface access. Risks include disorientation, low visibility, equipment failure, and running out of air, making it highly dangerous. Despite the hazards, it attracts explorers for adventure and research. Proper training and safety measures are crucial for survival.
5. Extreme Skiing/Snowboarding
Extreme skiing and snowboarding require highly trained athletes, yet the sport comes with numerous dangers. Descending remote mountainous slopes exposes athletes to risks such as altitude sickness, hypothermia, and frostbite. Avalanches and tree wells add to the hazards, as the unpredictable nature of mountain snow can be life-threatening.
6. Football
Football is an exhilarating yet high-impact contact sport that requires a lot of physical fitness from the players but this doesn’t take away the risks of injuries like ACL tear, concussions, muscle strains, tears and even spinal cord injuries. To help minimise the risk of injuries players are often advised to use safety equipment like helmet, mouth guards and pads.
7. Mixed Martial Arts
This is a combat sport with both parties deploying various martial art techniques like boxing, wrestling and jiu-jitsu to either knockout their opponent, force them to submission or win by scoring higher points from the judges. This could lead to a number of injuries to the head, face, muscles, bones and even cardiovascular issues.
8. Rock Climbing
This entails the climbing of rock formations or artificial climbing walls. This sport has a high risk of injuries from falling which could cause broken bones, fractures, cuts and abrasions and even head injuries. It is advised that climbers be properly trained and make use of proper equipment when climbing.
9. Skydiving
Skydiving is an extreme sport that involves jumping from an aircraft, free-falling, and deploying a parachute to land safely. However, it carries risks. The most serious risk is parachute malfunction, where the parachute may fail to deploy or become tangled, which can lead to severe injury or death. During freefall, skydivers can experience injuries like ear damage, sinus issues, or bruises due to high speeds and rapid altitude changes. Landing injuries can occur if the descent is too fast or awkward, often leading to sprains or fractures, especially in the ankles. Collisions with other skydivers or objects can also result in severe injuries. Though modern equipment is reliable, gear failure can still happen, adding to the risks.
10. Street Luge
This involves riding a specially designed skateboard at high speeds down steep hills. This extreme sport can be incredibly dangerous, as the rider is exposed to the risk of losing control and crashing, which can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. The high speeds make it difficult to react quickly to obstacles, turns, or changes in the terrain, increasing the chances of accidents. The intense impact from a crash can cause broken bones, head injuries, and road rash, among other serious injuries. As with many extreme sports, the thrill comes with significant risk.
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