Injury Prevention Tips
No pain, no gain is a misleading statement. While physical activity is healthy, pain should not be part of it.
Although sports are enjoyable and have physical and mental benefits, they expose players to greater risks of injuries. Whenever a player sustains a severe injury, they might be discouraged from getting back on the field. However, most sports injuries are preventable.
Here are some injury prevention tips that can help sports players:
Warm up before and cool down after the sports activity
When the body rests, the muscles are usually cold, stiff, and unprepared for rigorous activity. Doing sports without a warm-up may result in sprains, strains, and muscle tearing.
By warming up for at least five minutes, a player increases muscle temperature, making their bodies more elastic. Also, this promotes the production of synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints to reduce friction.
Finally, warming up increases the heartbeat, ensuring a steady blood supply to the muscles in preparation for demanding activities.
Stopping physical activity abruptly is unhealthy and can lead to fainting or dizziness. Instead, the player should engage in cooling-down activities such as stretching to rest the body gradually.
Stop the sports activity when experiencing pain or discomfort
No pain, no gain is a misleading statement. While physical activity is healthy, pain should not be part of it. Whenever a player starts to experience pain and discomfort, it’s a sign that the body is nearing its limits.
At this point, the player should heed the signal and rest for the day. Continuing to push through the pain over time can lead to stress fractures, muscle imbalance, and tendinitis.
Follow the sports schedule consistently
Showing up consistently is key in exercise and sports, as it helps build endurance, flexibility, and fitness. However, most players don’t follow up their exercise schedule faithfully.
As a result, they tend to overcompensate for the missed days. This leaves them with sore and inflamed muscles.
Wear protective gear
Every sport involves some injury risk from falls, collisions, or impacts. Playing sports without the right protective gear will result in injuries.
As such, players should always carry the right gear. This protects them from injuries and boosts their confidence since they are less likely to get hurt.
Keep the body hydrated
Dehydration may not cause sports injuries. However, when the body is dehydrated, the electrolyte balance in the muscles gets disrupted. This causes muscle cramps, which might result in injuries.
Also, the joints won’t be well-lubricated without enough fluid in the body. The friction that occurs during movement causes injuries, especially in high-impact sports.
Prevent injuries
Injuries can derail a player’s progress and kill their motivation. For that reason, it’s advisable to take preventive measures when possible. This way, it will be possible to reduce the number of times a player has to miss out on sports to wait for injuries to resolve.
Liberated Rehabilitation is a mobile physical therapy service in the Phoenix metro area specializing in fully personalized in-home physical therapy. We provide tailored physical therapy in the home or work setting for faster, better recovery. Call (602)755-2276 to schedule an appointment.
