Forbes magazine is better known for naming the richest people than for the listing the most healthful sports, but its editors know that lists of just about anything attract eyeballs. So does SportsGeezer. And while this list of the 10 most healthful sports is more than 10 years old, Sportsgeezer has (almost) no reservations about publishing it because the sports listed haven’t become more or less healthful, and the ratings are as reliable as they were when they were published. No comment on their original reliability.
Forbes puts squash at the top of list, followed by rowing, rock climbing (seriously?) and swimming. Next come cross-country skiing, basketball and cycling. Running, modern pentathlon (introduced in the 1912 Olympics and which includes running and swimming, as well fencing, horse riding and pistol shooting) and boxing bring up the rear. The ten sports are compared based on cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility, each of which is rated from 1 to 5, with 5 being excellent and 1 being “nothing special”. Injury risk is part of the equation, with the surprising finding of highest risk of injury from rowing and swimming. Also surprising: the list is published here by Top End Sports, not Forbes.