Injury is always a concern in any sport. It could happen at any time, at any place, and in any situation. Fortunately, most sports injuries can be prevented and treated.
The most effective way to prevent getting injuries is by knowing what injuries may befall you. Of course, different sports are prone to different injuries. For the most part though, these sports injuries can be classified into general categories.
One of the most common types of sports injury is getting a muscle pull. This type of injury happens when a muscle of the body – this can happen to any muscle of the body – gets extended or “pulled” beyond its natural limits. This is usually caused by abrupt and excessive tension being applied to the muscle, causing some of its fibers to be torn apart.
To prevent a muscle pull type of sports injury, stretching before the game is highly recommended. Stretching exercises warm up the muscles and also increases their elasticity. As can be deduced by the definition of a muscle pull, the more elastic a muscle is, the less likely it will be over stretched. Furthermore, it is also a very good idea to start slowly in the beginning of the match or game. Let your muscles realize that a lot of strain and stress are going to be headed their way. This will allow your muscles to adjust and loosen up faster and easier, making them more adjusted to the rigorous demands of sport.
Another common sports injury is the muscle cramp. A muscle cramp, or a spasm, as it is sometimes referred to, is a condition where the muscles involuntarily contract. This is often quite painful but usually only lasts for a few minutes. Just like a muscle pull, muscle cramps can be prevented by proper stretching and warm up play.
Lower back injuries are also common in sports. This is somewhat an expected occurrence because the lower back muscles are one of the weakest muscles in the body and they are also one of the least attended to. Additionally, this is also true for the abdominal muscles. The abdominal muscle group is the other group of muscles that help secure the lower back of the body. Thus, when both muscle groups are weak, a lower back sports injury is highly probable.
To strengthen the abdominal muscles (the core muscles of the abdomen – or “abs”), the crunch exercise is very effective. You can easily do this lying down on the floor or even standing up, without any equipment. If you prefer though, you can use an inflatable exercise ball to help you out. Just remember not to pull on your neck when doing crunches (pulling on your neck can easily lead to a neck injury). Use your abdominal muscles because it is these muscles that you want to strengthen.
Always remember that the muscles of the body have a limit to their stretch abilities. Abuse of this limit will always lead to a sports injury. So try to keep your muscles loose and primed. As much as possible, do not subject your body to sudden rigorous sports activities. Always warm up and work your way to the proper condition before immersing yourself in your favorite sport.
