© Shutterstock

Cheerleading -

While many people might question its athleticism, cheerleading is indeed a sport. And sometimes it can lead to a trip to the ER—especially if a teammate fails to catch another when they're tossed in the air.

© Getty Images

Auto racing -

With tons of metal wrapped around you, and going an average of 150 mph (280 km/h) on hard asphalt, chances of a lethal accident are high.

© Getty Images

Scuba diving -

Scuba diving can be pretty intense, and most people go through extensive training before they can do it. Marine life, like sharks, and faulty equipment are the major dangers for scuba divers.

© Getty Images

American football - American football is today recognized as one of the most dangerous sports out there. Even with protective gear, it can lead to broken bones, neck and head injuries, concussions, and even CTE.

© Reuters

Skiing -

Skiing requires both athleticism and finesse to master the right techniques. But regardless of skill, the risk of injury is very real. One of the biggest injuries involves the head, when a skier runs into a tree or falls to the ground.

© Getty Images

Bull riding -

As a bull can weigh up to 1,800 pounds (816 kg), one can only imagine the injuries a fallen rider might sustain.

© Getty Images

Big wave surfing -

Overall, big wave surfing isn't that deadly. But if you're knocked off the board after riding a big wave, you could be knocked unconscious. And even if conscious, surfers have about 20 seconds to reach the surface before the next wave comes.

© Getty Images

Snowboarding -

A combination of surfing and skiing, snowboarding injuries can have dangerous consequences. Crashes are common, which can cause broken bones, brain injuries, and even fatal accidents.

© Getty Images

Buzkashi -

Buzkashi is a Central Asian game that started originally in the Afghan region. Played in an open field, basically horse-mounted players attempt to place a goat or calf carcass in a goal. And with whips to push their horses and attack their opponents, one can see how this sport can be dangerous.

© Getty Images

Downhill mountain biking -

Riding down a steep and narrow mountain trail may seem like fun. But it often ends with major fractures, head injuries, internal bleeding, or even worse.

© Getty Images

Cliff diving -

This extreme sport involves diving into water from a high, rocky cliff. The typical distance is about 85 feet (25 m), so injuries are definitely possible.

© Getty Images

Heli-skiing -

Heli-skiing is off-trail skiing, where the skier reaches the top of the mountain by helicopter. An extreme sport, you're taken to a place that's not really meant for humans. There's the risk of avalanches, bad weather, and freezing conditions.

© Getty Images

Street luging -

Street luging involves participants lying on a wheeled board and riding down a steep road or course. With only the feet as brakes, there's a high risk of a road crash.

© Getty Images

Calcio storico -

Italian for "historic soccer," calcio storico is an early form of soccer from the 15th century. It's played each year on June 24 in Florence, Italy. People flock to the main square to watch the brutal sport, which involves punching, headbutting, choking, wrestling, and tackling.

© Getty Images

Boxing -

It's no surprise that boxing isn't an injury-free sport. With the main goal of punching the opponent, boxing can have many long-term consequences, such as CTE.

© Getty Images

Mixed martial arts (MMA) -

A competition between two highly-skilled fighters, MMA can be very dangerous. Especially as the main objective is to knock the opponent out.

© Getty Images

Motorcycle racing -

If car racing is dangerous, then imagine motorcycle racing, where the rider isn’t protected by a sturdy cage in case of an accident.

© Getty Images

Jai alai -

Originating in the Basque Country, jai alai involves bouncing a ball off a walled-in space by accelerating it to high speeds with a hand-held basket. The ball is made from goat skin, rubber, and metal, which can cause some serious injuries if it hits a player.

© Getty Images

Field hockey -

Field hockey players are often injured by contact with another player, the stick, or the ball itself. Some injuries include broken teeth and concussions.

© Getty Images

Ice hockey -

Hockey is an injury-prone sport. Some of the most common injuries include fractures, broken bones, facial cuts, and head injuries, including concussions.

© Getty Images

Rugby -

With two teams of 13 players smashing against each other, rugby results in plenty of broken bones, torn ligaments, and even death.

© Getty Images

Mountaineering -

Adventurists who take to the mountains face a high risk of injuries or death. The biggest hurdle is the environment, which can be severe. Then there's the risk of falling objects, such as rocks and even avalanches.

© Getty Images

BASE jumping -

BASE jumping involves using a parachute and a wing suit to jump off a high, open area. But if your parachute doesn't open, then you're headed towards certain death...

© Getty Images

Bullfighting -

In its aim of attempting to subdue or kill the bull, bullfighting is by nature a violent sport that can be deadly for both the bull and the bullfighter.

© Getty Images

Free diving -

Free diving implies diving as deep as possible without using any breathing equipment, like the ones used in scuba diving. In an unnatural place for humans, many deaths have occurred while free diving.

© Getty Images

Equestrianism -

No matter how much padding and protection you might be wearing, a fall or a slight stutter from a horse can have serious consequences.

© Getty Images

Free soloing -

Mountain climbing is already dangerous with all the ropes, hooks, and other special equipment. So just imagine the dangers of free soloing, where climbers skip the equipment.

© Getty Images

Basketball -

While basketball might not seem like such a dangerous sport, you'd be surprised with the injuries sustained by professional athletes. Teeth and noses are often broken, and injuries like ligament and tendon tears are even more common.

© Getty Images

Pole vaulting -

While there's a cushioned layer on the landing pad, there's always a danger of landing wrong. This can cause broken bones and other impact injuries.

Sources: (Runner's Athletics) (World's Ultimate) 

See also: Famous athletes who switched sports 

© Getty Images