Preventing Sports-related Injuries
Athletes are generally classed as good or bad depending on their performance in sport.
In elite sport however, a great athlete is also the more reliable one; the one you can count on to be fit for every game and bring forth his best every time.
Sadly, it appears that sporting injuries are becoming increasingly prevalent and in some contact sports, even inevitable.
Let’s begin with some sporting injury stats
- It is estimated that up to 1 million Australians suffer a sports related injury each year.
- Dislocations, sprains and strains are the most common sport and recreation-related injuries accounting for 36% of all sports injuries.
- An injury sustained in the previous season increases the risk of further injury by 45%.
- 50 – 80% of injuries are related to overuse
- Injuries are more frequent in the lower limb than the upper limb (ie. in the legs more frequently than the arms) in terms of hospital-treated
- The risk of sustaining an injury is higher in some sports greater than
others. In Australia, eight sports are estimated to account for 75% of all sports injuries. They are football (including AFL, rugby league, rugby union and soccer), basketball, netball, hockey, and cricket (indoor and outdoor). - 1 in 5 adult Australians are prevented from being more physically active by a sports related injury
This begs the question- what separates the reliable athletes from the more injury prone ones? The answer is in one or several of the anatomical, biomechanical and technical factors that can increase your risk of sustaining an injury during sports and activity.
Risk factors of sporting injuries include
- Muscle tightness/reduced flexibility
- Inadequate muscle strength
- Decreased muscle agonist/antagonist strength ratio
- Reduced motor control
- Lack of training
- Poor technique
- Insufficient warm-up
- Previous injury
The dependable athlete is not purely skilled in the game, but also skilled at staying clear of injury. Evidence shows that motor control and strengthening programs can be beneficial for preventing or minimising the risk of sustaining an injury. In many cases physiotherapists perform sport specific assessments to identify factors which may predispose to injury, and to assist with injury prevention and management.
At Pivotal Motion, we use a combination of manual therapy and sports specific exercise programs to minimise your injury risk on and off the field. The right program not only offers athletes an injury free season but also improves agility, strength and endurance. It helps create the high performance, dependable athlete.
Suffering from a sports injury from the weekend or want tips on preventing an injury? Pivotal Motion and your local Brisbane exercise physiologist can help. Call the physiotherapist Brisbane relies on for their experience and knowledge today on 07 3352 5116 or book online.
References:
- Borg-Stein, J. Zaremski, J.L. Hanford, M.A. (2009). ‘New Concepts in the Assessment and Treatment of Regional Musculoskeletal Pain and Sports Injury’. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. vol 1(8). 744-754.
- Chan, K. Fong, D.T. Hong, Y. Yung, P.S. & Po-Yee, P. (2008). ‘Orthopaedic Sport Biomechanics – A New Paradigm’. Clinical Biomechanics. vol 23(S1). S21-S30.
- SMA Media Kit (2010). Available from: www.smartplay.com.au
- Teyhen, D.S. Shaffer, S.W. Lorenson, C.L. Halfpap, J.P. Donofry, D.F. Walker, M.J. Dugan, J.L. & Childs, J.D. (2012) ‘The Functional Movement Screen: A Reliability Study’. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. vol 42(6). 530-540.
- Tornese, D. Melegati,G. & Volpi, P. (2006). ‘Muscle Strains’. Football Traumatology. pp 153-164.
