[DuckyC]

Didn't you read the part where they compare it to any other sport? “Apnea is not different from many other sports, in the sense that practice at a high level often leads to deleterious impacts on human physiology,” he said. “Think about alpinists going to Mount Everest, climbers, gymnastics, marathon runners—every sport has its drawbacks when performed at the élite level.”

[nmeofthestate]

Yes, I thought that was smugly dismissive of the fact that these guys were brain damaged. In more mainstream sports where brain damage is a problem, it at least isn't met with "meh".

[YeGoblynQueenne]

For a list of examples, mostly contact sports, see the Wikipedia article on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_traumatic_encephalopat...

  Most documented cases have occurred in athletes involved in contact sports such as American 
  football, wrestling, ice hockey, rugby, and soccer.[1] Other risk factors include being in the 
  military, prior domestic violence, and repeated banging of the head.[1]

[pmoriarty]

"Traumatic" is the key word there. There are different sorts of brain damage, and traumatic brain damage (the kind from impact) is only one kind. I am not a doctor, but I wouldn't be surprised if brain damage due to hypoxia (low levels of oxygen in the brain) is not considered "traumatic" brain damage, and so wouldn't be on that list.

[Stratoscope]

Mobile friendly quote:

> Most documented cases have occurred in athletes involved in contact sports such as American football, wrestling, ice hockey, rugby, and soccer.[1] Other risk factors include being in the military, prior domestic violence, and repeated banging of the head.[1]

[pdelbarba]

Never had issues with rowing. Just don't compete as a lightweight and you'll be fine. Cycling could be fine but just about everyone gets into traumatic road accidents from time to time.