Sports activities are a regular way of life for many of us now and involve people from across all age groups from those who have an avid interest to those who just wish to keep fit; from the elite professional to the casual participant.
Many sports injuries are a result of overuse. Playing too hard too often, e.g. tennis elbow, biceps tendinitis, or from not warming up properly beforehand or from not warming down afterwards.
Reduced flexibility may also affect the degree of performance and could result in injury if the player is unaware that they cannot perform to the same level as they used to. For example, golfers who cannot turn at the waist as well as they used to and older footballers whose knees are now prone to injury from wear and tear.
However, although sports injuries are common, those who are fit tend to recover more quickly and easily from their injuries.
Remember:
- Begin slowly and build up after an injury.
- Warm up first and warm down with stretches afterwards.
- Following an injury, apply ice to the affected area for 10 minutes every hour.