5 Ways Athletes Can Avoid Sports Injuries
According to sports medicine expert Dr. Andrew Cosgarea, injuries often occur due to trauma and overuse. While accidents can happen when athletes push their bodies beyond their current physical limits, traumatic injuries may involve dramatic scenes, such as when an athlete falls clutching their knee. Playing sports is entertaining, but getting hurt is not fun. Sprains, strains, dislocations, and broken bones are a few sports injuries that can mar an athlete’s performance and potentially ruin a career. Thankfully, you can avoid them by following safety tips such as these.
- Don’t rush or over-challenge your body
Rushing or challenging your body too hard can increase your risk of accidents. Mastering a sports activity takes time, so don’t overexert yourself. Learn to increase training levels gradually to allow your body to adjust to stress on your bones, joints, and muscles. For instance, consider increasing the mileage of your runs to make time for recovery between your workouts. You must also listen to your body, especially when it shows stress signs. A mild or short-lived muscle ache may be normal. However, joint pain is not something to take lightly; it could indicate you need to cut back.
- Warm-up and cool down
Warming up and cooling down ahead of physical training can decrease the risks of muscle strain. Do basic things like moderate walking or jogging before you start major exercises. Another strategy athletes can use to avoid injuries is to increase their flexibility by stretching pre-and post-workout.
- Understand the rules of the game
Traffic lights help reduce car crashes in intersections, and this works better when drivers understand and obey traffic rules. The same scenario applies to sports. Fewer injuries occur when athletes understand the rules of a game. For instance, in soccer, players must not approach from behind and carelessly crash into the opponents’ legs to win the ball. It helps to determine your role in a team and monitor the play so you can stay out of harm’s way.
- Work with a chiropractor
They are health professionals who use their hands to improve joint, bone, and muscle function. Set a higher safety standard by booking an appointment with a chiropractor to learn the best exercises to improve safety on the field or track. Chiropractic care has proven to help athletes boost their performance and reduce injury risks. It is also essential if you want to heal lower back pain or improve your overall wellness to do sports activities you love.
- Wear protective gear
Protective equipment is designed to keep athletes from danger. The type of gear you need to play safely may depend on the sport. Helmets are practical for protecting your skull when skateboarding, biking, and playing hockey or baseball. Other activities may require eye protection, pads, elbow, and knee guards. You will also want footwear with special rubber or plastic on the soles to give you a firm grip on the ground. Your coach can assist you in choosing the best protective gear for your sport.
