Yortho Tips for Avoiding Sport Injuries

Playing sports isn't just fun, it also develops fitness and coordination. But with any sport, injuries can happen. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, almost half of all sports injuries may be preventable.

Avoiding Sports Injury Gear up. Wear protective gear appropriate to the sport you play. Helmets are the most common sports gear to protect your head while playing sports like football, hockey, baseball, softball, biking, skateboarding and in-line skating, just to mention a few. Many sports require protection such as mouth guards, pads, wrist, elbow, and knee guards to avoid injury.

• Warm up. Warming up your muscles before participating in a sport also helps to keep you safe. Take 15 to 30 minutes to warm up for your sport with activities like gradual stretching or a slow jog to increase your blood flow and muscle temperature. When your muscles are ready to go, there is much less chance for injury during your sport.
  
  
• Learn up. When participants know the rules of the sport, fewer injuries happen. Most sports developed rules in the first place in order to keep players safe from injury. When you and other players follow the rules, everyone knows what to expect from each other.
  
  
• Drink up. Drink plenty of water and other appropriate sports beverages before, during and after your sport. Dehydration from lack of water limits blood flow to the muscles and affects sports performance. Vitamins and minerals that help the body to heal and repair itself after exercise are lost in sweat. Drink lots of fluids before you even feel thirsty.
  
  
• Rest up. Don't play a sport when you're injured. When you love a sport, it's hard to wait to get back into the game. But playing before an injury has a chance to fully heal can lead to an even worse injury, possibly one that might keep you out of the sport for a long time. See a doctor for your injuries and follow his or her advice about how and when to return to the sport.

Sports Benefits Outweigh Injury Risks

Whatever the sport, it may not always be possible to prevent injuries. However, taking precautions before and during sports can certainly reduce the chance of injuries. Don't let worry about possible injuries put you off the idea of sports altogether. The benefits of exercising far outweigh the risks of injury. Visit us for Team and Athletic Trainer Products