The necessary precautions in preventing dangerous sports injuries

With sports camps and more structured activities, kids today are increasingly likely to play their chosen sport year-round. Talk with your young athlete.

Of the 30 million participants, approximately 3. Further studies related to injuries associated with participation in sports shows that the rate of injury is lower in young to middle-aged adults. Regardless of the varying probabilities of specific sports related injury types, prevention of a sports injury is not only beneficial in the short term, but over the long run as we continue to age as well.

Although it is impossible to prevent all injuries associated with participating in a sport, there are several approaches and techniques that can be implemented to make the probability of incurring a sports-related injury much smaller.

Common Types of Injuries The most common types of sports-related injuries include muscle, ligament and tendon strains and sprains, bone fractures, and bruising.

Methods to Help Prevent Injury The following approaches and techniques can be used to help prevent a whole host of sports-related injuries.

It is important that all athletes be in the appropriate physical condition prior to participating in their particular sport. In other words, an athlete should not rely solely on the participation in their sport as a means to get into the appropriate shape to effectively participate in their sport.

Hence, all athletes should participate in an off-season training routine that facilitates a fitness level suitable to participate in a particular sport. It is always recommended that an athlete participate in an exercise routine that keeps their body in good shape, and thereafter continue with an appropriate fitness routine that supports the specific sport in which the individual is participating.

Many of the rules associated with each type of sport are designed to keep athletes safe and to minimize the number of injuries. For instance, clipping, chop blocking and a slap to the helmet are illegal in order to minimize the number of injuries associated with participating in the sport of football.

The better the understanding of how a specific sport is played and the more knowledgeable an individual is of the rules of the game, the less likely they will be to break the rules and endanger themselves and others. Many sports require specific protective equipment in order to be played effectively and safely.

For example, shoulder pads, a helmet and thigh pads are used when playing the sport of football. It is extremely important for anyone participating in a sport to properly warm up prior to actually playing. A typical warm-up should begin slowly with various stretches and physical activities that engage the primary and secondary muscles that will be used during the playing of the sport.

The intent of warming up prior to playing is to flood the muscles, ligaments, tendons and flexible joints with blood and oxygen.

This should be accomplished without placing a high level of stress on any part of the body. Warms up the muscles by increasing the movement of blood through the muscle tissue, thus making the muscles more supple and flexible.

Increases delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles by increasing blood flow. Prepares the muscles for stretching. Prepares the heart for an increase in activity.

When participating in a sport that requires strength and endurance, an athlete must allow their body and mind the appropriate time necessary to recover from their expenditure of energy.

This recovery time is not only necessary for the body, but the mind as well. When the body becomes physically exhausted, the mind will continue to push the body to perform, subsequently increasing the probability of an injury. Likewise, as many sporting events require a high level of extended mental concentration, the mind will begin to fatigue as well.

As such, mental focus, acuity and judgment will decrease. In this case, the mind may place the body in a vulnerable situation with an increased risk of injury. The important item to remember is that when an athlete encounters a high level of fatigue physical, mental or boththey should decrease their energy expenditure or take a short break altogether.

By doing so, an athlete will allow their body and mind the necessary time to re-balance their oxygen and metabolic levels, and refocus their mind as well.The equipment you wear while participating in sports and other activities is key to preventing injuries.

Picking a Racquet

Start with helmets: They're important for sports such as football, hockey, baseball, softball, biking, skateboarding, inline skating, skiing, and snowboarding — to name just a few.

Traumatic Brain Injury: Prevention is the Only Cure A traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain or skull caused by an external force, such as a strike or impact. Brain injuries are often permanent and disabling, unlike other injuries, such as broken legs or cuts that can heal.

Enforce the rules of the sport for fair play, safety, and sportsmanship. Ensure athletes avoid unsafe actions such as: Making illegal contacts or dangerous stick play (e.g., swinging, checking) around the head and/or; Trying to injure or put another athlete at risk for injury.

With some precautions, one can avoid the common sports injuries. Playing any type of sport is a great way to maintain one's fitness. With some precautions, one can avoid the common sports injuries. Strap or Belt those vulnerable joints, if necessary. Use the proper safety equipment, such as mouth guards, helmets and pads.

However, most injuries in young athletes are due to overuse. The most frequent types of sports injuries are sprains (injuries to ligaments) strains (injuries to muscles), and stress fractures (injuries to bones). Injury occurs when excessive stress is placed on tendons, joints, bones and muscle.

About a third of all injuries happen in the home, and they tend to hit small children and elderly adults most. This guide will help you prevent five common home injuries: falls, choking and.