Prevention, identification & treatment Injuries In sport Prevention, identification & treatment

Identification on Injury Sports injuries can be caused by a fall or a heavy blow; failing to warm up properly, use equipment properly or use the correct technique; or simply by pushing yourself too hard. While injuries are not inevitable, it is very rare for someone involved in physical activity to remain injury-free throughout their life.

Concussion Fracture Dislocation Soft Tissue Injuries Sprain Torn Cartilage

Concussion Definition: The sudden but short-lived loss of mental function that occurs after a blow or other head injury Symptoms Headaches Dizziness Nausea Seeing starts or having blurry vision Unconsciousness Confusion immediately after the injury Temporary loss of memory Concussion is the least serious type of brain injury but could be masking something more serious, like a bleed in the brain or swelling of the brain. Therefore, you should always seek medical help if you receive a blow or other injury to the head.

Fracture Definition: A fracture is a broken bone. There are two types of fractures: Open & Closed Open Fracture An Open fracture, where the broken bone penetrates the skin. A Closed Fracture A closed fracture, where the broken bone does not penetrate the skin. The symptoms of a closed fracture include bruising, swelling, deformity and pain, especially if you try to put any weight on the site of injury, and being unable to move the affected part of your body

Definition: Bones are displaced (dislocated) at a joint Dislocation Definition: Bones are displaced (dislocated) at a joint Symptoms Deformity Swelling Bruising Numbness Pain, especially if you try to put any weight on the site of injury. It can be difficult to work out if a bone is broken or dislocated, so it is important to seek medical help at the earliest opportunity

Soft tissue injuries Muscle or tendon Strain Tennis Elbow Soft tissue injuries are injuries to the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Muscle or tendon Strain Tennis Elbow Golfers Elbow Skin Abrasions

Pain, Swelling, Bruising, Muscle spasm Symptoms include: Strain Tennis Elbow The connective tissue that connective tissues that attaches muscle to bone is stretched too much or tears This is an overuse injury, caused by overusing the muscles and tendons attached to your elbow and used to straighten your wrist. Symptoms include: Pain, Swelling, Bruising, Muscle spasm Symptoms include: Pain on the outside of your upper forearm, pain when flexing forearm, pain gripping or swinging. Not just associated with tennis injuries. Golfers Elbow Abrasion Abrasions are cuased when a layer of skin is rubbed off. This is an overuse injury, caused by overusing the muscles and tendons attached to your elbow and used to straighten your wrist. Symptoms include: Area Feel hot, burning sensation, skins looks raw/red, very little or no bleeding Symptoms include: Pain on the outside of your upper forearm, pain when flexing forearm, pain gripping or swinging. Not just associated with tennis injuries.

Sprain Definition: when the ligament that attaches to the bone (at the joints) is stretched too much or tears. Symptoms Swelling Bruising Numbness Pain, especially if you try to put any weight on the site of injury.

Torn Cartilage Definition: a partial or complete tear in the Cartilage is a connective tissue found throughout the body. Symptoms pain, Swelling Stiffness Decreased range of movement

How to optimise training and avoid injury

Getting injured from playing sport or taking part in physical activity is not inevitable. However, if you follow the following six simple rules will help optimise training and avoid injury Training Programme Rules Protective clothing Check Equipment Check Facilities Warm Up/Cool Down

Training Programme Make sure your training programme is designed using the principles of training to avoid overuse injuries. Overuse injuries include tennis elbow and golfers elbow.

Rules Make sure you understand and follow all the rules of an activity during play/participation

Protective clothing Make sure you use appropriate protective clothing and equipment during play/participation.

Check Equipment Always check equipment before use to make sure it is in a good condition.

Check Facilities Always check facilities before use to make sure there are no hazards, such as broken glass on a playing field

Warm Up/Cool Down Always warm up and cool down properly