The safest sports are golf and swimming, which have some of the lowest injury rates ever recorded in U.S. high school and college sports. Bowling, archery, table tennis, rowing, and badminton are also very low-risk because they involve no tackling or collisions. No sport is completely risk-free, so we ranked these 10 sports using injury data from the CDC, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and sports medicine studies, and listed the most common injury for each one.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before starting a new sport, especially if you have a health condition.
Key Takeaways
- Golf had the lowest injury rate in one national high school study: about 0.21 injuries per 1,000 practices and games, or roughly 1 injury per 5,000.
- Swimming and diving had the lowest injury rate of all NCAA college sports, but drowning is the leading cause of death for U.S. children ages 1 to 4, so swimming lessons and supervision matter.
- Gymnastics is not a low-risk sport: it had the highest injury rate of all women’s college sports in a CDC study.
- Bicycle injuries sent about 454,000 Americans to the emergency room in 2024, more than basketball or football.
- Pickleball is low-impact, but emergency room visits linked to it have risen sharply, mostly among players 50 and older.
The 10 Safest Sports at a Glance
| Rank | Sport | Risk Level | Most Common Injury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golf | Very low | Lower back and elbow strain |
| 2 | Swimming | Very low (injury) / supervise for drowning | Shoulder overuse (“swimmer’s shoulder”) |
| 3 | Bowling | Very low | Wrist and finger strain |
| 4 | Archery | Very low (when supervised) | Forearm bruising from the bowstring |
| 5 | Table tennis | Very low | Shoulder and wrist overuse |
| 6 | Rowing and kayaking | Low | Lower back strain |
| 7 | Badminton | Low | Ankle sprain |
| 8 | Tennis | Low | Tennis elbow |
| 9 | Volleyball | Low to moderate | Ankle sprain, jammed fingers |
| 10 | Ultimate Frisbee | Low to moderate | Ankle sprain, accidental collisions |
How We Ranked
We ranked sports by how often players get hurt and how serious those injuries usually are. Where possible, we used injury rates measured “per 1,000 athlete exposures,” meaning one player taking part in one practice or game. This data comes from a CDC study of NCAA athletes and national high school injury studies. Not every sport on this list is tracked in those studies, so for sports like bowling, archery, and table tennis we also considered whether the sport involves contact, falls, speed, or heavy loads. Sports that cause many emergency room visits, like cycling, ranked lower even if they are low-impact.
1. Golf
Golf is one of the safest sports you can play. A national study of high school athletes found just 0.21 injuries per 1,000 practices and games in boys’ golf, compared with more than 15 in football. Most golf injuries are overuse problems in the lower back, elbow, or wrist from repeating the same swing. Warming up and getting a lesson on proper swing form helps prevent them. Golf also adds plenty of walking, which is good low-impact exercise.
2. Swimming
Swimming has some of the lowest injury rates in sports. In the CDC’s study of NCAA athletes, swimming and diving had the lowest overall injury rate of any men’s or women’s sport. A study of high school swimmers and divers found an even lower rate of 0.26 injuries per 1,000 practices and meets. The water supports your body, so there is little stress on joints. The most common problem is shoulder overuse, often called “swimmer’s shoulder.”
There is one serious exception: drowning. According to the CDC, more children ages 1 to 4 die from drowning than from any other cause. Formal swimming lessons, constant adult supervision, and pool fencing greatly reduce the risk. Swimming is only one of the safest sports once a swimmer has strong water skills.
3. Bowling
Bowling involves no contact, no running, and very little impact, which makes serious injuries rare. Most problems are minor strains in the wrist, fingers, or shoulder from using a ball that is too heavy, plus the occasional slip on the lane approach. Choosing the right ball weight and wearing proper bowling shoes prevents most of these. It is a great choice for kids, older adults, and families.
4. Archery
Archery looks risky because it involves arrows, but organized archery has a strong safety record because ranges follow strict rules about when to shoot and when to retrieve arrows. The most common injury is a bruise on the forearm when the bowstring slaps it, which an inexpensive arm guard prevents. Beginners should always learn at a supervised range or club, never in a backyard.
5. Table Tennis
Table tennis, or ping pong, involves a small playing area, a very light ball, and no contact between players. Injuries are uncommon and usually minor, such as shoulder or wrist overuse in players who practice a lot, or a twisted ankle from quick side-to-side movement. It is easy to start at any age and can be played indoors all year.
6. Rowing and Kayaking
Rowing and kayaking are low-impact and involve no collisions. A national study of high school rowing found an injury rate of 2.39 per 1,000 practices and races for boys, and none of the boys’ injuries kept athletes out for more than a day. The rate for girls was higher, at 8.60, mostly from overuse injuries, so building up training slowly matters. The most common issue overall is lower back strain from poor technique. For kayaking and canoeing, the biggest safety step is wearing a life jacket every time and avoiding rough water until you have experience.
7. Badminton
Badminton uses a light shuttlecock and racket, and players stay on opposite sides of a net, so there is no contact. Because the game involves quick lunges and direction changes, the most common injuries are ankle sprains and strains in the Achilles tendon or shoulder. Good court shoes and a proper warm-up lower that risk.
8. Tennis
Tennis is a non-contact sport with a fairly low injury risk. The most common problems come from overuse, especially “tennis elbow” (pain on the outside of the elbow) and shoulder strain. Playing doubles reduces how much you have to run, which makes tennis an easier option for older players.
9. Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport where players stay on separate sides of the net, so it is much safer than contact team sports like football or soccer. The most common injuries are ankle sprains, which often happen when a player lands on a teammate’s or opponent’s foot near the net, and jammed fingers from blocking. Ankle braces and practicing safe landing technique help.
10. Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact sport by rule, so players are not allowed to tackle or push each other. It still involves a lot of sprinting and cutting, so ankle sprains and pulled muscles are common, and accidental collisions can happen when two players chase the same disc. It is a fun team sport for kids and adults who want something less physical than football or soccer.
Safest Sports by Age Group
| Age Group | Safest Picks | Most Important Safety Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Young kids | Swimming (with lessons), bowling, table tennis, golf | Constant adult supervision around water |
| Teens | Golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, rowing, volleyball | Proper technique and rest days to prevent overuse injuries |
| Adults | Golf, swimming, tennis, rowing, kayaking | Warm up before playing and build up slowly |
| Older adults (50+) | Swimming, golf, bowling, table tennis | Watch out for falls, which cause most injuries at this age |
Popular Sports That Are Less Safe Than They Seem
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is often listed as a “safe” sport for kids, but the data says otherwise. In the CDC’s study of NCAA athletes, women’s gymnastics had the highest overall injury rate of any women’s sport, at 10.4 injuries per 1,000 practices and meets. Falls, flips, and hard landings put a lot of stress on wrists, ankles, and the back. It can still be a great sport, but it is not a low-risk one.
Cycling
Cycling is low-impact, but crashes are common and can be serious. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2024 emergency room data, bicycles were linked to about 454,000 ER visits, more than basketball (about 386,000) or football (about 318,000). A helmet, bike lanes, and riding with traffic make a big difference.
Martial Arts
Non-contact martial arts classes that focus on forms and technique can be quite safe for kids. Classes that include sparring, throws, or grappling carry a higher risk of sprains, bruises, and head injuries. Ask how much contact a class involves before signing up.
Is Pickleball Safe?
Pickleball is low-impact and easy to learn, which is why it is so popular with older Americans. But it is not risk-free. A 10-year study of U.S. emergency room data found that pickleball injuries rose significantly from 2013 to 2022, with most caused by falls and older players affected the most. If you are over 50, wear court shoes with good grip, warm up, and avoid backpedaling for high shots, a common cause of falls.
Bonus: Safe Activities That Aren’t Sports
Walking and yoga are two of the safest ways to stay active, even though they are usually considered exercise rather than sports. Both are low-impact, need little or no equipment, and can be adjusted to almost any fitness level. For more easygoing options, see our list of the laziest sports.
General Safety Tips for Any Sport
Whatever sport you choose, a few habits prevent most injuries. Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes before playing. Use the right protective gear, like helmets for cycling, life jackets for kayaking, and arm guards for archery. Learn proper technique from a qualified coach, and take rest days to avoid overuse injuries, especially for kids who play the same sport year-round.
For more help choosing a sport, see our guide to the best sports for girls or, at the other end of the scale, our ranking of the hardest sports in the world.
FAQ
What is the safest sport in the world?
Golf and swimming are generally considered the safest sports. In U.S. studies, golf had one of the lowest injury rates of any high school sport, and swimming and diving had the lowest injury rate of all NCAA college sports. For swimming, the main danger is drowning, so lessons and supervision are essential.
What is the safest sport for kids?
Swimming (once a child has had lessons and is always supervised), bowling, table tennis, and golf are among the safest sports for kids. They involve no tackling or collisions. Parents should still make sure kids use proper technique and don’t overtrain in a single sport.
What is the safest team sport?
Volleyball and Ultimate Frisbee are among the safest team sports because players don’t tackle each other. Rowing (crew) is also a low-risk team sport. Contact sports like football and wrestling have much higher injury rates.
Is swimming really a safe sport?
Swimming has one of the lowest injury rates of any sport. However, drowning is the leading cause of death for U.S. children ages 1 to 4, so swimming is only safe with formal lessons, constant supervision for young kids, and life jackets in open water.
What sport has the most injuries?
In the CDC’s study of NCAA athletes, football had the highest injury rate during games and men’s wrestling had the highest overall injury rate. Among U.S. emergency room visits in 2024, bicycles (about 454,000), basketball (about 386,000) and football (about 318,000) were the top three sports, behind only exercise equipment overall.
Sources
- CDC MMWR: Sports Injuries Among NCAA Athletes, 2009-2014
- Journal of Athletic Training: High School Injury Rates by Sport
- Sports Health: Injuries in High School Swimming and Diving
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: NEISS Data Highlights 2024
- National Safety Council: Sports and Recreational Injuries
- PubMed: Pickleball Injuries in U.S. Emergency Departments, 2013-2022
- CDC: Drowning Data
