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Numbers have to be looked at on a per capita basis. There's also severity and frequency. The 'safest' sport I have done on an injury frequency basis is probably

Numbers have to be looked at on a per capita basis. There's also severity and frequency. The 'safest' sport I have done on an injury frequency basis is probably surfing. But when an accident does happen (outside of extreme spots), someone drowns or is bitten by a shark. Not very much middle ground. BJJ while it looks dangerous is actually pretty safe. I have lots of small injuries but never very bad. Sprained fingers or errant black eye b/c you are in such close contact with people. I think the most dangerous sport I've done is wakeboarding. So much so we kept ibuprofen in the boat. I finally 'retired' after tearing an ACL. Then there's everything else in between like basketball and football.

nottorp 2y ago
It's also my (unproven) theory that combat sports are a lot safer than other intense sports. For one, your partner tries to hit you but you are trained to defend yourself so most of the time you block/avoid the hits or at least do something to attenuate them. Two, you wear protection in some of these sports. And three, the philosophy of martial arts at least emphasises self control and you'll try to not hit as hard when your partner fails to block. Competitions are another thing maybe, but who needs competitions...
- showerst 2y ago
  The thing about many combat sports is not the short term injuries, but the long term CTE risk. Especially with the rise of meteoric rise of MMA, I think the community is going to have to take a hard look at blows to the head and choke-outs once there's been a few decades of data.
  - matwood 2y ago
    Some research has shown that slight choking like that in BJJ could be beneficial. Anyone who is going out a lot is not training properly. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353673489_Elevated_cerebral_perfusion_and_preserved_cognition_in_elite_Brazilian_Jiu-Jitsu_athletes_Evidence_for_neuroprotection#:~:text=In%20conclusion%2C%20the%20sustained%20elevation,specific%20high%2Dintensity%20interval%20training https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353673489_Elevated_....

nottorp 2y ago

It's also my (unproven) theory that combat sports are a lot safer than other intense sports. For one, your partner tries to hit you but you are trained to defend yourself so most of the time you block/avoid the hits or at least do something to attenuate them. Two, you wear protection in some of these sports. And three, the philosophy of martial arts at least emphasises self control and you'll try to not hit as hard when your partner fails to block. Competitions are another thing maybe, but who needs competitions...

showerst 2y ago
The thing about many combat sports is not the short term injuries, but the long term CTE risk. Especially with the rise of meteoric rise of MMA, I think the community is going to have to take a hard look at blows to the head and choke-outs once there's been a few decades of data.
- matwood 2y ago
  Some research has shown that slight choking like that in BJJ could be beneficial. Anyone who is going out a lot is not training properly. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353673489_Elevated_cerebral_perfusion_and_preserved_cognition_in_elite_Brazilian_Jiu-Jitsu_athletes_Evidence_for_neuroprotection#:~:text=In%20conclusion%2C%20the%20sustained%20elevation,specific%20high%2Dintensity%20interval%20training https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353673489_Elevated_....