Sports with most common injuries

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Injury prevention for athletes begins with an understanding of common injuries specific to each sport. Because repeated actions produce repeated injuries, we can anticipate sports injuries. By anticipating dangers for an athlete in any sport, prevention techniques can pin-point them and head off injury.

Running & Knees
The most common injury for a runner is “runner’s knee”. The injury, which is officially known as ”patellofemoral pain syndrome” by the medical community, causes pain in a runner’s or knee cap. Running is all about a steady thump of one foot after another on solid ground, and the constant impact leads to runner’s knee. Runner’s can cut back on time spent in the activity. Pain relief medications will reduce chance of swelling, and external supports such as wraps and braces can be preventative measures. Adjusting style of running plus pre-running stretches are smart ways to confront this ailment.

Volleyball & Ankles
A popular sport, and pastime fun for beach goers, volleyball injuries affect a wide range of people. Ankle injuries outnumber all others for volleyball players. To avoid 8 weeks of being immobile, here are three valuable preventative tips. First, it’s warm out there on the beach. When volleyball players cool down, they should do it slowly, and take it easy on their muscles. Second, a moderate degree of stretching before playing – as with any athletic activity – goes a long way towards curbing future pains. Finally, ankle braces and wraps are vital for long term play. Even amateurs should consider using an external support.

Cycling & Lower Backs
Cyclists become accustomed to peddling through lower back pain. A number of factors link cycling to this injury. Often, the culprit turns out to be a cyclist’s riding style. Simply bending forward to get in line with the road on uphill treks prevents risk of lower back pain. A well thought out series of stretches before cycling reduces lower back pain as well. Many cyclists have turned to yoga in recent years as a way to maximize flexibility in muscles. Yoga is an excellent practice for preventing a wide variety of muscle injuries.

Gymnastics & Wrists
Energy propelling graceful gymnastic moves often pivots from gymnasts’ wrists. This makes wrist injuries a common, sometimes debilitating, injury for the sport. Repetitive blows to the wrists can compound over time into a serious injury. Force of a single move can leave a gymnast with a wrist injury instantly. Wearing wrist guards while training, or during a competition, significantly reduces chances of a wrist injury. Beginning any gymnastics with light aerobics plus use of spotters are two other ways gymnasts can avoid this common concern.

Baseball & Eyes
Anyone who has spent time on a baseball field knows the ball you must chase is also the biggest threat to your body. Head injuries from speeding errant baseballs are part of playing the game. The threat can be reduced. Eye injuries are one of the most common head injuries in the game. Most eye injuries leaving baseball players on the bench are preventable traumas. Approved eyewear with adequate lenses provide excellent protection.

Cody Bollerman