Want to stay healthy? Make outdoor sports a part of your lives. When you’re out on the field, there is always a possibility of injury. You could fall, trip, or bump into something.
That’s why safety is our prime concern.
Let’s face it, some sports carry a higher risk of injury than others. For example, in-contact sports like football and basketball pose more risk. Other sports, such as swimming and cycling, provide a low-impact, gentle workout on growing bodies.
So which kind of sports are safer than the others? We’ve come up with our own list. We will be talking about the 7 safest sports for youth athletes in this article. In other words, we will talk about the sports that are least likely to hurt you.
Discussing the Safest Sports for Young Athletes
We pulled from our experience and had to dig deep for this article. We discovered some of the safest sports for you to explore. It may be an opportunity for you to try something new. These sports help you in easing into a healthy lifestyle as well.
1. Swimming
Swimming was originally a survival skill for humans. From something you needed to learn to a fun sport… the journey was rather long. Since the 1970s, it has become a popular competition and is now an Olympic event with a growing number of participants.
It is one of the low-impact sports you can try. It’s a safe exercise as well. There’s little to no contact with competitors or other swimmers. Also, swimming typically takes place in a supervised environment to ensure the safety of young athletes.
Regular swimming lessons serve as a full-body workout. It will help improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle strength, and keep you in shape. Swimming increases the range of motion of your joints. It is a soothing exercise that reduces stress and anxiety as well.
2. Golf
Golf has a rich history dating back to 15th-century Scotland. Back then, players used wooden clubs and leather balls to navigate rugged terrain. As the sport gained popularity, metal clubs and standardized rules were introduced.
Today, golf is enjoyed by millions worldwide and is considered a safe and enjoyable sport for beginners and experts.
The entire game consists of non-contact play. There is no possibility of running into someone, colliding, or falling. This reduces the possibility of suffering an injury or getting hurt.
Furthermore, the game follows strict rules and is played in an out-of-bounds area. You could not hit someone with a golf ball unless he was extremely unlucky.
Overall, golf is a low-impact sport for all ages, promoting health and safety. It offers a safe and enjoyable experience, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.
3. Archery
Archery was originally invented thousands of years ago for hunting and warfare. The Egyptians, Greeks, and Persians practiced Archery as a form of long-distance attack move..
It has changed over time into a thrilling sport for us. Today, archery is a well-liked sport that has also appeared in international competitions and the Olympics.
When playing this game, athletes use a bow to shoot arrows at a target. The target is placed at a distance of 18 to 90 meters. The sport calls for a combination of concentration, accuracy, and skill. An archer must have a sharp view and focus on his target to direct his arrow where he wants it to go.
There is no possible injury because there is no physical contact between archers. No jumping, running, or other high-impact movement is required by the game’s rules or activities. Therefore, it marks it as a safer sport, especially for young athletes.
Additionally, it enhances your strength, balance, and hand-eye coordination. It strengthens one’s capacity for concentration, goal-setting, discipline, and patience.
4. Tennis
Tennis is a hand-to-palm sport created in France in the 12th century. It changed over time. It’s played on a rectangular court with a racket and ball today.
Two players or teams hit a ball back and forth across a net using rackets to play tennis. The ball has to strike in a way that makes it challenging for the other team to return it.
The first player who scores four points wins a “Game.” The first player who wins six “Games” wins a set. You win a match after winning more sets than your opponent.
Tennis is safe for young athletes for several reasons. First, players have no physical contact because it is a non-contact sport.
Secondly, the low-impact movements needed for tennis lower the risk of injury. Thirdly, there is minimal physical strain involved in the sport.
Additionally, tennis is often played in supervised environments. It ensures that players are following the safety guidelines.
It’s an excellent activity where young athletes can make new friends and learn new skills. They can stay active and physically fit.
5. Baseball
Baseball is a popular sport that has been enjoyed by people of all ages for decades. The game was invented in the United States in the mid-1800s and has since become one of the most widely played sports in the world.
Two teams alternate batting and fielding during a game of baseball. The objective of the game is to score more runs than the opponents. The batsman has to hit the ball and run around a series of bases in a counter-clockwise direction.
In this sport, there may be a lot of running and a chance for player collisions. However, players must wear protective gear such as batting helmets and gloves while playing. It lowers the chances of any potential injury.
The game’s pace is slow, allowing players more time to react. Also, the fielding positions are spread out. So, the chances of colliding with each other are low.
All in all, baseball requires less physically demanding activity than other sports. It lowers the chance of becoming physically exhausted and fatigued.
6. Gymnastics
The equipment used in these games, such as padded mats or spring floors, can help reduce the risk of injury by absorbing impacts. These were designed specifically with safety in mind.
Gymnastics is a sport that involves physical strength, balance, and coordination. It was developed in ancient Greece as a form of exercise and training for soldiers. Today, gymnastics is a popular competitive sport. It includes various disciplines such as artistic, rhythmic, and trampoline gymnastics.
The sport is also highly supervised, and many safety rules and regulations are in place. Coaches are trained to help athletes use the proper technique and form.
Just to be safe, you should start with warm-ups and stretching. It minimizes the chance of injuries. Athletes should also wear proper clothing and gear, like gymnastics grips or wrist supports, to protect themselves. It’s important not to try advanced moves without the right training and supervision.
7. Skateboarding
Skateboarding is a fun and exciting sport anyone can enjoy. It first originated in California in the 1950s, so surfers could practice their moves on land. Skateboarding has been recognized as a sport for several decades now.
It requires a lot of movement and skills. It’s the art of balancing the body. You need to train and practice a lot to be good at skateboarding.
Why is skateboarding a safe sport, you ask? It’s because skateboarders can manage their speed and movements independently and don’t have to come in contact with other players.
They can have a race or compete based on their own skills. Moreover, skateboarders wear protective gear, like helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads, to minimize the risk of injuries.
Skateboarding is done on flat and smooth surfaces with rules and safety guidelines. However, athletes can also choose to skateboard over different obstacles. They can do tricks and move on ramps, rails, and stairs. The sport allows players to choose what they are comfortable with.
Altogether, skateboarding can be a fun and exciting way for young athletes to engage in thrilling, physical activity. It teaches important safety skills, such as how to fall safely and assess risks in different situations.
The Bottom Line
Sports are all about having fun. For young athletes, this is only the beginning of your athletic career. The risk of injury should not stop you from chasing your passion for sports. As you begin your sporting journey, it’s important to consider the safety of your activities.
We looked into it and found 7 safest sports for youth athletes. We aim to encourage and inspire you to go after what you love.
Participating in these games will boost your confidence, develop your skills, and promote an active lifestyle. So, enjoy these low-risk, high-fun sports to the fullest!
