How to Prevent Sports Injuries

We love sports. Not only do we love to watch them on TV, but we also love to play them with friends on a beautiful day. Sports and exercise are great for achieving a healthy, more active lifestyle, but even then, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing if you find yourself dealing with sports injuries.

Sports injuries are defined as body conditions acquired during or after participating in a particular physical activity. There are different kinds of sports injuries, ranging from neck pain, back pain, and knee pain to muscle pulls, sprains, and breaks. Not only do they cause immediate pain, but they can also have long lasting detrimental effects on your body.

So, how can you prevent sports injuries while still having fun? There are a number of precautions that can be taken and here are a few…

If you start to feel pain in any part of your body, stop playing. The more you play or use that body part, the more pain you will feel, and it will also increase your chances of sustaining a more serious injury.

Have the proper attire and equipment when playing a particular sport. Use helmets, knee pads, and durable shoes to protect your body as much as possible.

Be in the right physical shape for doing a particular activity. Make sure that your body can withstand the requirements of the activity and never overdo yourself. Regular exercise will increase your ability, so don’t try to force it.

Have a warm up routine before you play or exercise. By warming up your body, you will not only increase the effectiveness of your exercise, but you will also minimize the risk of straining and pulling any muscles.

Take a break once in a while. Again, do not overdo yourself. In the middle of your game or workout routine, take a few minutes to give your body some time to relax. Not only are you giving your body a rest, but from a cardio perspective, you’re actually increasing the effectiveness of the activity by varying your heart rate.

Be aware of the rules of the game. When players know the game rules, fewer injuries happen. Anticipating and knowing what to expect will allow you to avoid unwanted accidents during the game.

Keeping in mind these preventive ways will enable any person to have the time of their life without putting their bodies at risk. Remember, it is always better to prevent than to cure any injury later.

-Dr Sid
Esprit Wellness (Find us on Facebook)