1. INTRINSIC RISK FACTORS – SPORTS INJURIES
S.I.P.P.P
INTRINSIC RISK FACTORS – SPORTS INJURIES
INTRINSIC
Associated with the performer (from inside)
“Damage or harm to do or suffered by a person”

2. Sports injuries related to poor posture
Pelvic Tilt –
is when the front of the pelvis drops and the back of the pelvis rises.
Lordosis -  
the lower back curves inwards more than it would naturally do
Kyphosis
Excessive outward curve of the spine – causing hunching of the back
Scoliosis – Twisting of the spine

3. Individual Variables…

4. Certain variables… Gender Flexibility Nutrition Sleep
Previous/Recurring Injuries

5. Intrinsic Risk Factors
Age
Young children most common injuries occur due to falling.
Older children the most common injuries result from collisions and violence.
Older age groups and top-level sportsmen, there are fewer acute injuries and more overuse (chronic) injuries due to intrinsic factors. Pg

6. Intrinsic Risk FactorsP
Intrinsic Risk Factors
Postural Defects
Some people are born with postural defects e.g. one leg longer than the other, or their spine having the wrong curvature.
= more strain on one side of the body = more susceptible to injuries after long periods of exercise.
Postural defects can also occur due to incorrect training techniques over a long period of time.

7. Posture and causes of poor posture…
Poor stance/gait (bending your knees, hunching shoulders when standing)
Physical defects – muscles weaken around injured area
Lack of exercise - lack of core muscle strength means less support, being overweight puts strain on posture
Fatigue – Tired muscles will be unable to support the skeleton properly
Emotional factors – low self esteem, low confidence can influence posture
Clothing/footwear – Poor shoes, high heels, plimsoles

8. P Physical Preparation
Athletes must prepare in order to perform at an optimal level.
If preparation is poor this can lead to injury as well as poor performance.

9. Intrinsic Risk Factors
Poor Preparation
Players’ fitness levels specific to sport.
Poor fitness = increase risk of injury, as they become tired develop poor sport techniques.
Must also acclimatize (train in) to environment in which competition will take place (hot/cold). Pg

10. Intrinsic Risk Factors
Inadequate warm-up
Very common cause of sports injury.
Warm-up prepares body & mind for exercise to come. Gradually takes body from non-active state to being ready for exercise.
Will vary from person to person, level of fitness, and the environment (cold surroundings = longer warm-up). Pg

11. Inadequate warm-up/cool down
Intrinsic Risk Factors
Inadequate warm-up/cool down
3 components of Warm-up:
Get blood flowing more quickly around body to help warm-up muscles to make them more flexible.
Mobiliser: joints taken through full range of motion.
Main muscles to be used should be stretched. Pg

12. Intrinsic Risk Factors
Overuse
Every time you exercise, you place your body under strain, thus the body needs time to repair itself afterwards.
Overuse injury occurs when you don’t give your body enough recovery time.
When you don’t rest & allow the
body to repair itself, it gets weaker
& eventually gets injured. Pg

13. Intrinsic Risk Factors
Muscle Imbalance
One muscle in an antagonistic pair is stronger than the other.
Example: footballers who have strong quadriceps muscles, but weak hamstring muscles = knee injuries (when striker goes to score they over-kick which hyperextends knee = injury). Pg

14. Intrinsic Risk Factors
Poor Technique
Related to an individual’s performance without the use of equipment (as opposed to incorrect techniques related to misuse of equipment).
Using incorrect technique over a long period of time may lead to injuries.
Example: swimming performing free-style incorrectly could be prone to shoulder or elbow injuries. Pg

15. PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS
Motivation
- How motivated are you? This can have an impact injury
Aggression -
Arousal/anxiety levels
- Being too aroused or worrying can have an effect

16. ! ! ! PREVENTION ! ! !

17. Preventative Measures
Improving & maintaining fitness.
Adequate & appropriate warm-up.
Wear protective clothing & appropriate shoes (stipulated by governing bodies).
Always remove jewelry.
Supervision by suitable qualified coach:
Correct techniques.
Design appropriate training programs for performers needs.
Ensure equipment & environment appropriate for training. Pg