Stay on Top of your Game with these 10 Sports Injury Prevention Tips
Your ability to avoid sports injuries hinges upon your commitment to engage in safe play. From remembering to warm up prior to your next game to avoid the temptation to continue playing after you are injured, there are measures you can take to help prevent sports injuries.
Below are 10 sports injury prevention tips to help you avoid painful injuries and setbacks.
1) Wear the proper protective gear. Failure to wear protective gear just once can cause you to sustain an injury. Consider having a spare set of protective gear available in case you ever find yourself without the protective garments you need or something breaks.
2) Warm up prior to engaging in sports. Resist the urge to go from zero to sixty without warming up first. A good warm-up will get your blood flowing to your muscles and get your body ready for heavy duty activity.
3) Learn the proper techniques and master them. Injuries can stem from engaging in repetitive movements with poor technique. Make sure you receive the proper training and master key movements prior to play.
4) Make getting plenty of sleep a top priority. Lack of sleep is linked to an increase in sports injuries. Strive to sleep for at least 7-8 hours per night to ensure that your body receives sufficient rest.
5) Don’t try to play through pain or an injury. Hit the bench if you experience acute pain while playing sports. Playing through an injury could lead to serious physical health consequences and delay your recovery.
6) Take periodic breaks. Rest and breaks are vital to protecting your stamina and muscles. They will also help you avoid injuries that can occur when a person plays in spite of being exhausted.
7) Drink plenty of fluids if you are playing sports on a hot day. Lots of sports take place outdoors where heat can interfere with your performance. You can help avoid injury by consuming plenty of water and sports drinks every 15 minutes during exercise.
8) Follow safety rules. Take the time to learn the safety rules associated with your favorite sports. They exist for your protection and will aid in injury prevention.
9) Do not ignore heat advisories. Avoid playing outdoor sports during the dog days of summer. Failure to heed heat advisories can lead to headaches, dehydration, heat stroke, and even loss of consciousness.
10) Seek treatment right away if you sustain an injury. Do not put off seeing a medical professional if you experience acute pain or a nagging injury. You could cause your injury to worsen and extend the time you will need to properly recover.
If you have been injured, getting you back in the game after an injury is our top priority. Whether you’re suffering from a new injury or chronic pain, our sports and spine specialists will find the treatment that’s best for you.
You’ll get the care you need with our state-of-the-art Sports Concussion Program, Acute Injury Clinic, and Sports & Spine Medicine Clinic. We care for active people and athletes of all ages from young to old and with sports-specific concerns to general orthopedic problems.
You are in good hands with Dr. Likness, our Sports Medicine specialist. Dr. Likness has been a physician for many college and professional teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Marquette University, UWRF, and more.
By following the tips above, you can stay on top of your game and help prevent sports-related injuries that could sideline you for weeks.
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