When playing a sport, there is always a risk of obtaining an injury. Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can decrease those risks.
How to Prevent Sports Injuries
Most sports injuries are the result of inadequate training in certain sports, structural defects in the body and weaknesses in the body.
While unfortunately this may be the case, there are precautions you can take to prevent sports injuries from occurring, such as:
- Consult your physician before starting any exercise. A proper medical evaluation should be completed to detect potential problems that could be worsened by a sports program.
- Get in shape before starting a new activity or sport. Don’t expect your sport to get you in shape.
- Build gradually. Slowly increasing the time and intensity of your work out routines will decreases your chances of an overuse injury.
- Use the proper technique. Good form increases efficiency and prevents overuse injury.
- Increase flexibility. Stretching exercises before and after games or practice can increase flexibility.
- Wear the right gear. Players should wear appropriate and properly fitting protective equipment. However, one should NOT assume that the proper gear will protect them from performing more dangerous activities.
- Strengthen muscles. Alternate exercising different muscle groups and exercise every other day.
- Have the proper shoe support. This may correct certain foot problems that can lead to injury.
- Take time off. Plan to take off at least 1 day per week from a particular activity to allow your body adequate time to recover.
- Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after exercise or play to avoid a heat injury.
If a sports injury does occur, make sure you get in adequate rehabilitation before resuming strenuous activity.
Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates
Fall is now in full swing. Holidays, fall sports, and outdoor recreational activities may result in sports injuries.
The common ones including ligament injuries of the knees, ankles as well as shoulders and hands from falls or traumas as well as overuse injuries from over training or repetitive use.
If you have obtained an injury, please schedule an appointment with Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates in Morgantown, West Virginia with our Morgantown orthopedic surgeons today at 304-599-0720.