Preventing Injuries

Prevention is better than treatment. Here are some ways that you can avoid sports injuries.

Make sure you are fit for the activity. Only play sport when you are feeling fit and healthy. And you have no existing injuries.

Make sure that you develop the right techniques. A bad technique in any sport can lead to an injury. Eg. Poorly throwing the javelin can lead to an arm injury.

Play at the right level. Play with the right age group. Play with a team or to a level that matches your ability. Eg. If a young novice boxer played an adult professional, it would mean certain injury.

Know the rules of your sport and obey them. Rules are there for your protection. So listen to the referee they are making decisions that may prevent you or a team mate an injury. (even if you don’t agree with them!)

Make sure you are wearing the right kit. If the sport that you play requires protective gear, for example a mouth guard, shin pads or helmet wear them! Footwear is also important, so choose carefully.

Make sure that your equipment is in good working order. Damaged or broken kit can be dangerous and put your safety and the safety of others in jeopardy.

Lift and carry equipment with care. Lifting heavy equipment can cause you to sustain an injury even before you have started.

Watch out for hazards in the playing area. Broken glass on pitches, wet patches on floors and even rakes left in long jump pits can all cause accidents and injuries. Weather conditions should also be taken into consideration. As a lack of visibility can cause accidents.

Warm up and cool down correctly. Injuries such as strained and pulled muscles can be avoided by warming up correctly. Cool down A correct cool down helps prevent stiffness and soreness increasing recovery time. This makes you better prepared for the next event.