Which Sports are the Safest and Which are the Riskiest During the COVID Pandemic?

The weather is starting to get nicer, vaccines are rolling out all over the country, and people are looking forward to things slowly getting back to normal. Of course, that’s not going to happen for a little while, and precautions like masks and social distancing are still going to be a part of our lives for a bit longer now. But with more folks getting vaccinated every day, the hope is that we can begin to get back out there safely and cautiously. A lot of states have begun to open back up for recreational and school sports, which is definitely something a lot of people could use right now. Being unable to participate in social activities like sports, can really put a hinder on people’s mental and physical health. Unfortunately, there are still some sports out there that have a higher inherent risk than others due to the way they are played, so it’s important that all safety measures are still followed and abided by. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular sports and which ones are the safest to play during the COVID pandemic and which pose the most risk.

Sports with the Least Amount of Risk During the Pandemic

In most cases sports that are played individually or with the ability to space yourself far enough apart from the next person, are the safest sports right now. You may also think that any sport that is played outdoors would the safest, but that’s not always the case. Of course, playing some of the sports listed below, while outside, is probably the safest you can get when it comes to playing sports right now. So which sports are the safest to take part in right now.

Individual Sports

As we mentioned, pretty much all sports that you play, or participate in, solo, are going to be the safest options.

• Fishing, Bowling, Climbing, Cross Country, Cycling, Disc Golf, Gymnastics, Horseback Riding, Ice Skating, Canoeing/Kayaking, Golf, Skateboarding, Skiing, Swimming, Track and Field, Shooting, and weightlifting.

These sports are all generally done alone and not with a team. Yes, you can be on a team for these activities, but generally when it’s your turn, you are performing by yourself and not within close proximity to other people.

Team Sports

While individual sports are currently the safest options, there are some team sports that are also being classified as lower risk when it comes to spreading COVID.

• Badminton, Baseball, Softball, Cheerleading, Competitive Dance, and Tennis

The team sports listed above, are generally deemed safer than other team sports due to the fact that participants and teams are not always in close proximity to one another and can safely wear masks when the situations call for them. Sports like tennis and badminton can also fall into the solos category, but when played as a doubles team would be considered a team sport, but also lower risk. Sports like cheerleading may still have certain restrictions in regards to lifts and throws, but generally speaking, tumbling and traditional routines are lower risk.

Sports with the Highest Amount of Risk

When it comes to sports with a higher amount of COVID exposure risk, team sports and sports with full contact are generally what we’re looking at here. Individual sports don’t apply, and team sports without contact are safer than the ones listed below.

Team Sports

The sports below can still be played in a safe manner if masks are worn at all times, but sometimes it’s hard when taking part in these types of activities.

• Football, Basketball, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, hockey, martial arts, ruby, and wrestling

The most important thing, when it comes to these close-contact sports, is to do everything possible to help mitigate the spread of germs. Wearing a mask whenever possible, using hand sanitizer regularly during play, and even requiring negative COVID tests before participation, is the best way to help keep exposure to a minimum. It’s never going to be perfect, and people are still going to get sick, but the more you do to help protect yourself and others, the better your chances are of staying healthy. Sports are an important part of many people’s lives. Whether you’re an adult in a recreational league or a child in a school or community league, they are a great way to socialize with people while providing a great way to get some physical activity into your schedule. By understanding the risks associated with different sports, you’ll be able to make a decision on which activities you feel most comfortable participating in and what’s right for you. Please be sure to adhere to the guidelines and restrictions set forth by your state or local community to ensure that everyone remains safe and can continue to play the sports they love.