Engaging in athletic activities is a wonderful and healthy way to stay active, and it promotes camaraderie among team members. If you are an active participant in sports, you know how easy it is to get carried away and put your body at risk for injuries that can sideline you. How can you minimize such injuries and stay in the game?
According to All Injuries Law, aggressive contact sports, including football, soccer and hockey, are the most common scenarios for bone fractures, especially in children. While some fractures are bound to happen, you can take precautions so that they don’t happen as often. Eat a well-balanced diet with sufficient vitamin D and calcium. Next, add weight training, which builds up your muscles as shock-absorbers and strengthens your bones. If you are overweight or a smoker, your bones might be more prone to fractures. Extra weight adds stress and pressure to your bones, and smoking can stall the healing process once they are broken.
Broken and cracked teeth are another common by-product of contact sports. According to Murfreesboro Family Dentistry, over 5 million teeth are damaged during sports play annually. Whenever you take a hit to the mouth, your dentist will need to inspect it promptly for visible breaks and fragments and teeth that may have loosened. They will also check for damage to the surrounding bones.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a mouthguard is the most recommended solution for shielding teeth from damage during rough sports. Studies indicate that athletes who don’t wear them are 60 times more inclined to encounter a dental mishap. By softening frequent blows to your mouth, a mouthguard minimizes the likelihood of injury to your teeth, face, tongue, lips and jaw.
Muscle Sprains and Strains
Probably the most common sports injury is sprains and strains. If you injure a ligament, this is a sprain and is often caused by impact to a joint. If you hurt a muscle or tendon, this is a strain. Improper exercise form or overstretching can lead to muscle and tendon strains.
If you’ve had a sprain or strain in the past, you are more likely to injure that area again in the future. Bruising, swelling, soreness and limited movement are symptoms of muscle or ligament injury. Athletes and overweight individuals are at greater risk for muscle injuries due to added or prolonged stress on joints.
Proper form while training and adequate stretching will help to reduce the incidence of sprains and strains. Also, drink plenty of water and keep your body at a healthy weight. If you’ve just started an exercise routine, don’t overexert yourself.
PT in Motion reports that every year, 8.6 million people from ages 5 to 24 years experience a sports-related injury in the U.S. Older individuals are prone to hurting themselves on the field as well. Understand your risks and do what you can to reduce them. Ideally, consult with a coach or trainer who can also advise you on the prevention of sports injuries.
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