Sports Injuries

Basketball Injuries

Basketball has changed since it was first introduced to the world by Dr. James Naismith in 1891. Peach baskets have changed into nets, and the pace of the game has increased tremendously. Basketball requires running, jumping and quick pivoting, setting players up for injuries. Read More. Print PDF.

Football Injuries

Football is one of the most popular sports played by young athletes in the United States. This sport also leads all other sports in the number of injuries per year. Football is a full contact sport with players colliding into each other at high velocities. This makes football players prone to injury anywhere on their bodies. Read More. Print PDF.

Rowing Injuries

Most rowing injuries are caused by overuse. Any abrupt changes in training level, technique or the type of boat rowed and a rapid increase in training volume contribute to their occurrence. Most rowing overuse injuries affect the wrist and forearm, rib cage, knee and lumbar spine. Read More. Print PDF.

Swimming Injuries

Swimming is a sport that people of all ages can enjoy. It is one of the most popular low-impact fitness activities worldwide. Competitive swimmers may train throughout the year to maintain optimal level of fitness, but this training regimen may possibly cause injuries to shoulders, knees, hips and back due to constant overuse. It is important to act quickly with head injuries, especially because of the aquatic environment. This could lead to keeping swimmers out of the pool permanently. Both competitive and recreational swimmers should be taught proper stroke management to avoid these types of injuries. Read More. Print PDF.

Overuse Injuries

When most people think of injuries in sports, dislocations, fractures and sprains come to mind. These particular injuries are due to a single, traumatic event known as acute injuries. In contrast, overuse injuries occur when there is repetitive, micro-trauma over time. Overuse injuries usually involve bone and tendons, which result in stress fractures and tendonitis. Read More. Print PDF.

Field Hockey Injuries

Field hockey is a popular sport in the United States with many female athletes participating at both the high school and collegiate level. Field hockey is considered to be a non-contact sport; however, because of the nature of the game, contact with a stick, another player and the playing surface is inevitable. Read More. Print PDF.

Soccer Injuries

Soccer is the most popular team sport in the world and is the fastest growing sport in the United States. Soccer develops balance, agility, coordination, and a sense of teamwork. Since soccer primarily utilizes the lower body, it is only natural that most injuries occur in the lower extremities. Read More. Print PDF.

Lacrosse Injuries

Lacrosse is America’s oldest game. It can be dated back to the Native Americans, and was used as training for war. It is both played by boys and girls; however, some rules are drastically different between genders. Nonetheless, the combination of contact, a stick, a hard ball and quick changes of direction puts lacrosse players at risk for injury. Read More. Print PDF.

Female Athlete Triad

Regular exercise has been shown to build and maintain bone strength, build lean muscle, lower blood pressure and decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, when exercise is combined with poor caloric intake, serious health problems can occur. The Female Athlete Triad is an interrelationship between inadequate caloric intake, menstrual dysfunction and decrease in bone density. One can have one, two or all three aspects of the triad. Read More. Print PDF.

Running Injuries

Running is a great form of exercise. It can enhance physical fitness, decrease stress and give a sense of accomplishment. Most injuries in running are overuse injuries. Skin injuries and heat illness are also seen with running. Read More. Print PDF.

Cheerleading Injuries

Cheerleading is a competitive athletic activity that incorporates stunts comprised of the elements of dance and gymnastics. Over the past 40 years, cheerleading has changed significantly. Although cheerleading is meant to support an athletic team, competitions have now been developed. These competitions are intense, vigorous, and have increased the risk for injury. Read More. Print PDF.

Heat-Related Illness

Heat-related illness is one of the leading causes of death in athletics. However, heat-related illness is largely preventable. During exercise the body’s temperature increases. Then, in turn, the body perspires to cool off. When one perspires, one loses body fluid and electrolytes. If the fluid and electrolytes are not replenished, the risk for heat-related illness increases. Read More. Print PDF.

Wrestling

Wrestling is one of the world’s oldest sports. It can be traced back to the first Olympic Games held in Greece. It is a sport for people of all sizes because rules require athletes to compete in weight classes. Common injuries include shoulder and knee injuries. Head injuries, such as concussions and cauliflower ear, also occur. Skin infections are also seen because of the close body contact that is associated with wrestling. Read More. Print PDF.

Volleyball

Even though injury rates in volleyball are lower than most sports, injury rates have increased because of greater participation. Volleyball has its share of sprains, strains, fractures and contusions due to trauma. Volleyball players are also at risk for overuse injuries because of the repetitive motions that are inherent to the sport. Read More. Print PDF.