Top-20 Sports Requiring Durability
Which sports are ranked highest for the ability to constantly withstand physical punishment? This list is based on an analysis of 60 sports by an expert team at ESPN. The top sports are mostly high impact contact sports, though basketball is supposed to be non-contact! In gymnastics, the gymnasts punish themselves! See rankings for other components of fitness.
| ranking | sport | rating (/10) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boxing | 8.5 |
| 2 | American Football | 8.5 |
| 3 | Ice Hockey | 8.25 |
| 4 | Rugby | 7.88 |
| 5 | Basketball | 7.75 |
| 6 | Rodeo: Bull/Bareback/Bronc Riding | 7.38 |
| 7 | Rodeo: Steer Wrestling | 6.88 |
| 8 | Gymnastics | 6.88 |
| 9 | Cycling: Distance | 6.88 |
| 10 | Wrestling | 6.75 |
| 11 | Water Polo | 6.38 |
| 12 | Soccer | 6.25 |
| 13 | Lacrosse | 6.13 |
| 14 | Skiing: Alpine | 6 |
| 15 | Martial Arts | 5.88 |
| 16 | Track and Field: Distance | 5.75 |
| 17 | Baseball/Softball | 5.63 |
| 18 | Surfing | 5.5 |
| 19 | Skiing: Nordic | 5.5 |
| 20 | Skateboarding | 5.25 |
Related Pages
- Sports ranked by other ESPN factors of success
- Sporting components of athleticism
- A discussion about the Components of Fitness
- What is the Fittest Sport?
- Sport Specific Fitness
- Sport Specific Fitness Testing
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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