Daily Times

They’re generally regarded as being among the most ‘dangerous’ sports which cause one injury after the next. But people are more likely to suffer injuries while playing football or running than they are while boxing or horse riding.

Research released by health and wellbeing provider Benenden found football was the sport most likely to cause injuries, followed by running, rugby, cycling and swimming.

This was despite the public’s perception that boxing, rugby, horse riding, martial arts and weightlifting were the most injury-prone sports.

Whilst parents stress their outrage at a generation of children addicted to screens, the findings also show that it’s not just iPads stopping children from getting their knees dirty outdoors.

Parents admit that they actively dissuade their child from playing what they would consider to be ‘dangerous sports’. Top of the list were boxing, weightlifting and rugby whilst gentler activities such as table tennis and badminton proved to be the sport of choice for paranoid parents.

Despite common misconceptions, football is revealed to be the UK’s most dangerous sport with 1 in 5 admit to having suffered a serious injury whilst playing.

People are six times more likely to suffer an injury playing football than initially perceived and injuries most likely to occur include a sprained ankle, knee injury and concussion.

Despite the popular belief that rugby is one of the most brutal UK sports, the study shows that people are four times more likely to suffer an injury playing football.

Lazy attitudes towards personal wellbeing and health are revealed in people’s poor attitudes to seeking appropriate medical care. 1 in 5 admit that they “couldn’t be bothered” to seek medical help and a third are still suffering as a consequence.

Commenting on the findings of the report, Benenden Hospital Director Jane Abbott said, “Of course all sports carry a certain amount of risk. However, the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle far outweigh the risk of injury, which can be greatly reduced through proper training and warm ups. When participating in new sporting activities, you should set yourself incremental goals. For example, do not immediately set out to run five miles a day; instead, gradually build up your mileage on a weekly basis. Ensuring you have a varied exercise schedule and a healthy, nutrient rich diet can also help to reduce your chances of injury. It’s concerning to see that the public are taking part in these sports but not taking responsibility for injuries incurred whilst playing. If pain or swelling occurs, immediately stop the activity and rest for a few days. If pain persists, stop exercising and seek medical attention. It’s extremely important to remember that if you recognise symptoms early and treat them appropriately, your recovery should be uncomplicated and successful.”