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• Facts About Sports Injuries
  It is important to be seen by a doctor for any injury that you experience extreme pain, swelling, or numbness; if you cannot put any weight at all on an ankle, foot, knee or leg; an old injury hurts or aches really bad, an old injury swells up, or a joint is unstable or feels abnormal. You can usually treat an injury at home as long as none of the above injury signs (listed above) occur. You should always call a doctor if pain or an injury worsens. Always get emergency help if severe bleeding occurs or if the individual is not breathing.
  
  
  • Preventing Sports Injuries
    Rule #7 - Injuries are more likely to occur when there is a history of injuries or when there is a high number of consecutive training days prior to the sporting event without appropriate rest. Eliminating the risk for injury includes reducing all risks that are in control of the player and coach. Rule #8 - Allow for adequate recovery if an injury has occurred. Muscles, bones and connective tissue need time to heal before being subjected to activity. Playing before injuries are properly healed leads to further injury and may increase the risk for serious injury.
    
    
  • Foot and Toe Sports Injuries
    The most common foot injuries include ligament strains, stress fractures, heel bruises, and swollen growth plates. Feet must absorb the weight of the player and take the full force of play. Teens especially suffer foot injuries because their feet are often different. High arches or flat feet can lead to injuries. To prevent this from happening special shoe inserts may be helpful. When you re-injure a joint it becomes weaker and thus more prone to injury. It is important to take each injury seriously and to treat it properly. Treating an injury properly includes resting it. Minor injuries can have long-term implications if they are not treated properly.
    
    
  • Martial Arts Injuries
    Fingers and toes can become jammed when throwing a kick or punching improperly. You can also hit a bag or pad improperly and jam your finger or toe yourself. You must keep a tight fist when throwing an open hand technique that requires the palm or knuckles in order to avoid injury. You can also keep the fingers tightly together when the palm is open to avoid jamming the fingers. Proper form is essential when preventing injury to the fingers or toes.
    
    
  • Injuries in Childrens Sports
    Common softball/baseball injuries are sustained from sliding or being hit with a ball. These incidents in the game can lead to soft tissue strains, impact injuries such as fractures and of course sunburn is always an issue when playing outside. The best way to prevent some of these softball/baseball injuries is to always wear a batting helmet when batting, wear shin guards, elbow guards, cleats, hat, and use breakaway bases. Boys should wear athletic supporters. Mouth guards should also be worn to protect teeth. Proper conditioning of all players and good warm-up exercises can contribute to lowering the risk of injuries.
    
    
  • Common Sports Injuries
    Most sports injuries including these 5 most common injuries can be prevented by understanding your sport, knowing the safety rules, wearing proper protective gear, using safety equipment, being in good condition physically, mentally and emotionally and also receiving proper training in technique and execution. Warming up before play is also important when preventing injuries.
    
    
  • Sports Fitness And Preventing Injury
    An important part of any good fitness sports program is the warm-up, which includes stretching. Getting ready for a sport is more than just knowing how to play it is being ready physically, mentally and emotionally to play your best. Staying fit and in proper physical condition allows you to enjoy the sport more and stay in the game more without injuries to sideline you. An important part of sports fitness is being mentally fit. Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness. Staying sharp in the game allow you to make smart decisions regarding placement, balance, and position. Mentally being all you can be in the game not only gives you a competitive edge over your opponent but also allows you to prevent injuries.
    
    
  • Sports Injuries and the Elderly
    Older athletes are more likely to sustain injuries than their younger teammates. Careful warm-ups can help to prevent injury and proper stretching exercises can also help to reduce the chance for injury. Elderly individuals who participate in sporting such as running, cycling, climbing, golf and swimming are prone to musculoskeletal injuries, back pain, and shoulder injures. Older cyclist is more prone to upper limb fractures of the wrist, forearm and collarbone as well as shoulder dislocations, sprains, cuts and abrasions. Proper seat height, and wearing padded gloves can help to prevent these cycling injuries.
    
    
  • Treatment for Sports Injuries
    When to use heat: Heat can relax and loosen tissues as well as to stimulate blood flow to a chronically injured area. Injuries from overuse can be treated with heat before activity. Do NOT use heat on chronic injuries after activity. Do not use heat after an acute injury. When it is proper to heat an injured area, use a heating pad, or hot, wet towel. Be very careful when using a heating pad to monitor the injured area to prevent heat burns. Never leave a heating pad on for extended periods of time like when you are sleeping.
    
    
  • Sports Injuries Common to Athletes
    Back injuries are common such as sprains, fractures, contusions, twists or overexertion of back muscles are common in contact sports such as football and ice hockey as well as in weight lifting sports such as figure skating, gymnastics, dancing, basketball and baseball. Contact sports are rough on a male's sexual organs. Males should always wear athletic supporters or a sports cup when participating in sports. Breast injuries can happen when a blow occurs in baseball. Supportive bras can be worn to help prevent breast injuries.