Inspired to Try an Olympic Sport? First Learn How to Fall.

This maneuver may sound daunting but is not difficult for most healthy people to master or deploy in an eyeblink, Dr. Weerdesteyn said. In other experiments by her research group, young people picked up the technique after 30 minutes of supervised instruction. And once trained, people typically start to tuck and roll within 200 milliseconds during a controlled fall.

To practice your own tuck and roll, find a clear space in a room or hallway and stack padding, such as a mat or thick blankets. Then roll through some slow-motion falls. Begin from a low, squatting position, so you generate the least force when striking the ground, before moving on to standing falls. Drop sideways on both sides, then forwards and back. If you are concerned about speed, have a partner brake you by holding lightly onto your upper arm while you tuck. (Talk to your doctor first if you have a history of injuries or bone thinning. You also could consult an athletic trainer for an evaluation of your falling technique.)

Look Down. Stay Loose. Wear Pads.

Helmets, wrist guards, kneepads and a stash of bandages also help if, tempted by the Olympics, you decide to sample a new sport. “Padding is pretty important” for novice skateboarders, Mr. Sheckler said.

Ditto in other gravity sports. “Pads are the way to have the fun continue,” said Ryan Nyquist, the head coach for the United States BMX freestyle team and a 16-time BMX medalist at the X Games. BMX freestyle, which involves launching yourself and a BMX bike from features in a bicycle terrain park, makes its Olympic debut on Saturday.

Orient yourself in space, too, if you are above the ground, said Nina Williams, a professional rock climber with The North Face team. (Sport climbing will be another new sport at the summer Games.) “Don’t close your eyes,” she said, if, for instance, you are on a bouldering wall at your local climbing gym and suspect you are about to fall. “Look down,” she said, check for obstacles, such as other climbers or their gear, and gently let go. “Don’t jump off,” she said. “Exhale and let yourself fall.”

Land on your feet, she continued. Then, of course, use your tuck and roll. “Don’t brace yourself,” Ms. Williams said. “Stay loose.”

“Think ‘feet, knees, hips, elbows, shoulders,” Mr. Nyquist said, and then roll like a rag doll from one to the next.