One of the most important aspects of sports is injury prevention. Keeping an eye out for common injuries is essential, especially for youth. Youth participation in sport is increasing, but the associated injury rate is rising too. One in three schoolchildren miss a day of school due to a sports-related injury each year. Additionally, one in three adults miss a day of work every year due to an injury sustained during a sport activity.
While the benefits of sports participation are well-known, injuries can have a negative impact on a healthy lifestyle. To prevent injuries, athletes must follow the right training and conditioning regime and wear the appropriate protective equipment, especially in contact sports. The benefits of injury prevention are evident. To help athletes avoid sports-related injuries, physiotherapists can collaborate with schools and other sporting organisations to implement strength and conditioning programmes. However, these programs are not always easy to implement.
Athletes should begin with warm-up exercises, as jumping into a high-impact, strenuous activity may lead to injury. It is a good idea to use a light cardio workout before training to ensure your body is warmed up. Also, a good diet should be balanced, full of whole foods, and provide sufficient amounts of macronutrients. Poor diets can lead to muscle weakness and reduced cardiovascular endurance.
