Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Practice Test

Which of the following sports is considered unsafe for an athlete absent one kidney?

1. Golf

2. Field hockey

3. Track and field

4. Tennis

The correct answer is: Field hockey

Field hockey is considered unsafe for an athlete with only one kidney due to the physical nature of the sport, which involves a higher risk of collisions and impacts. This sport involves fast-paced movement, and players are at risk of being struck by the hard ball, sticks, or colliding with other players. Such impacts pose a significant risk to an athlete's remaining kidney, potentially leading to severe injury, complications, or even loss of kidney function. In contrast, sports like golf, track and field, and tennis generally present lower risks of trauma to the abdomen. Golf is often played at a leisurely pace with limited physical contact, which minimizes the likelihood of injury. Track and field events, depending on the specific discipline, can have a similar profile, especially in non-collision events. Tennis also tends to entail less physical contact, allowing for safer play for someone managing a single kidney.