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Preventing Sports Injuries
Posted: April 1, 2009
You can be proactive to help reduce the chance of incurring a sports injury:
- Make sure you use proper sports equipment that fits well.
- Follow the safety rules related to the sport.
- Avoid playing sports when tired or in pain.
- Make warm-ups and cool-downs part of your routine before and after sports participation. Warm-up exercises, such as stretching and light jogging, can help minimize the chance of muscle strain or other soft tissue injury during sports. Warm-up exercises make the body's tissues warmer and more flexible. Cool-down exercises loosen muscles that have tightened during exercise.
- Make sure you have access to water or a sports drink while playing. Drink frequently and stay properly hydrated.
- Remember to wear sunscreen and a hat (when possible) to reduce the chance of sunburn.
- Any organized team activity should demonstrate a commitment to injury prevention. Coaches should be trained in first aid and CPR, and should have a plan for responding to emergencies. Coaches should be well versed in the proper use of equipment and should enforce rules on equipment use.
Treatment for sports-related injuries will vary by injury. Get professional treatment if any injury is severe. A severe injury means having an obvious fracture or dislocation of a joint, prolonged swelling, or prolonged or severe pain.
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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