Most forms of exercise are overwhelmingly safe – but don’t ignore the dangers

The risks of serious injury from most sports and exercise are astonishingly small, according to the results of a five-year study led by researchers at the University of Bath in the UK.

The study, funded by the British Medical Association, shows that even forms of sport sometimes considered risky by the public, such as road cycling, are generally safe, suggesting the benefits of taking part in fitness activities far outweigh the dangers.

This is the first time in England and Wales that researchers have attempted to describe and quantify the relative risks of trauma resulting from sport or some other physical activity. It’s hoped that the study’s results will make it easier for both participants and organizers of activities to make their pursuits safer still.