Swimming | Very low | Shoulders | + | None | Swimming is a low-risk sport assuming no diving is involved. |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | Stress to joints is directly related to intensity and duration of swimming. |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | Whipkick may irritate knees. |
Waterskiing | High | Knees | +++ | Life jacket | Very stressful on muscles. |
□ | □ | Shoulders | ++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Elbows | ++ | □ | The overall risk is high because of outside forces over which skier has no control (e.g., speed at which he hits the water, being hit by a ski). |
Windsurfing | Medium | Spine | ++ | Life jacket | Lessons useful initially to learn proper technique. High winds increase risk especially if inexperienced. |
□ | □ | Shoulders | ++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Elbows | + | □ | □ |
Golf | Low | Shoulders | + | Appropriate footwear | □ |
□ | □ | Elbows | + | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Knees | + | □ | □ |
Tennis | Low | Knees | ++ | Tennis shoes | □ |
□ | □ | Ankles | ++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Elbows | + | □ | □ |
Squash/Racquetball | Medium | Knees | +++ | Appropriate footwear | Protective eyeglasses. Contact with ball, racquet could be harmful. |
□ | □ | Ankles | +++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Elbows | ++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Shoulders | ++ | □ | □ |
Volleyball | Low/Medium | Knees | ++ | Knee pads | Increased risk with higher level of competition. |
□ | □ | Hands (fingers/wrists) | ++ | High-top running shoes | □ |
□ | □ | Ankles | + | □ | □ |
Basketball | Low/Medium | Knees | +++ | High-top running shoes | High-top running shoes may prevent ankle sprains. Knee pads provide some form of cushioning when falling on knees. |
□ | □ | Ankles | +++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Fingers | ++ | Knee pads | □ |
Baseball | Medium | Shoulders | ++ | Knee pads | Higher risk of soft tissue injuries |
□ | □ | Knees | ++ | Appropriate footwear | □ |
□ | □ | Elbows | ++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Ankles | ++ | Helmet (batting) | □ |
Soccer | Medium | Ankles | +++ | Appropriate footwear | Higher risk of soft tissue injuries |
□ | □ | Knees | ++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Hips | ++ | Shin pads | □ |
Football (tackle) | High | Knees | +++ | Helmet | High risk of head injuries and traumatic bleeds because of repeated heavy physical contact in tackle football. |
□ | □ | Ankles | +++ | Protective pads | □ |
□ | □ | Shoulders | +++ | □ | □ |
Rugby | High | Knees | +++ | Generally not used in this sport | Harmful because of high risk of physical contact. |
□ | □ | Ankles | +++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Shoulders | +++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | Increased risk of head injury and jarring injury to the spine. |
Weight lifting | Medium | Elbows | +++ | □ | Proper lifting techniques can lessen risk of injury. |
□ | □ | Shoulders | +++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Back | +++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | □ | □ | □ | Recommended lifting through mid-range only. Increase number of repetitions rather than weight. Train regularly. Not recommended for young children. |
Skating | Low | Knees | ++ | Proper fitting skates with good ankle support. | Helmet is advisable during initial learning period. Knee pads or snow pants. |
□ | □ | Ankles | ++ | □ | □ |
Skateboarding | High | Knees | +++ | Helmet | Risk of fracture and head injury owing to falling. |
□ | □ | Ankles | +++ | Knee and elbow pads | □ |
Roller skating/Roller blading | High | Spine | Stress on joints related to falling. | Helmet | Risk of injury is high owing to risk of falling on hard surfaces. Rough surfaces, hills, and ramps increase risk. |
□ | □ | □ | □ | Knee, elbow and shin pads | □ |
Road hockey | Medium | Knees | ++ | Helmet and knee pads may be beneficial. | Contact with stick and other players could be harmful. |
□ | □ | Ankles | ++ | □ | □ |
Ice hockey | High | Knees | +++ | Proper fitting skates with good ankle support. | Contact with puck, stick, boards, other players could be harmful. |
□ | □ | Shoulders | +++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Ankles | ++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | □ | □ | Protective padding (shoulder, elbows, knees). | □ |
□ | □ | □ | □ | Helmet | □ |
Nordic skiing (cross-country) | Low/Medium | Knees | ++ | Skis and poles of appropriate length. | The difficulty of the course will directly affect the degree of stress on joints and overall risk such as risk of falling. |
□ | □ | Ankles | ++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Shoulders | + | □ | □ |
□ | □ | □ | □ | Boots with good support. | □ |
Alpine skiing (downhill) | High | Knees | +++ | Helmet | Appropriate length of skis and poles. The risk of head injury is high owing to the inherent risk of falling at high speeds. |
□ | □ | □ | □ | Ski boots | □ |
Horseback riding | High | Spine | ++ | Helmet | The risk of head injury and serious muscle or joint injury is high owing to the possibility of falling off or being thrown from the horse. Jumping should be avoided. |
Bicycling | Low | Knees | + | Properly adjusted bike with seat at proper height. | To minimize stress on knees: □□1.□□□ Keep seat high. □□2.□□□ Avoid hills. □□3.□□□ Stay in lower gears. □□4.□□□ Pedal at high revolution (80–100/min). |
□ | □ | □ | □ | Bicycle helmet. | □ |
□ | □ | □ | □ | Toe straps. | □ |
Running | Low/Medium | Ankles | ++ | Appropriate footwear (need good shock absorption, firm heel-counter, arch support). | Running surface (e.g., concrete or uneven ground) will affect risk. Intensity of running (such as distance, speed, frequency) will also affect risk. |
□ | □ | Knees | □ | □ | □ |
Karate/Judo | Medium/High | Knees | ++ | □ | None. If there is contact, the risk of injury is high. Without contact, the training can be good for improving muscle flexibility, coordination, and balance. |
□ | □ | Elbow | ++ | □ | □ |
□ | □ | Ankles | + | □ | □ |