5 Common Types of Sports Injuries

Participation in one or more sports is an essential component of a healthy, active lifestyle — beneficial for the heart and lungs, developing and maintaining physical strength, etc. In a perfect world, only good would result from doing sports, but this is not the case. Humans move improperly, stumble and fall, and make unexpected contact with the earth and each other. As a result, sports injuries in Singapore occur often.

Yet, the danger of injury should not dissuade you from participating in sports. But, if you know the most prevalent sports injuries, you may try to prevent them or lower your chance of being harmed. Let’s examine eight common sports-related injuries and the preventative actions you may take to avoid them.

1. Strains

Strains are the most prevalent of all sports-related injuries due to the extensive usage of muscles and tendons during exercise and play. These movable components are prone to overstretching or improper movement, causing them to become ripped, injured, and in pain. Common muscular strains include hamstring pulls, groyne pulls, and quad strains. The majority of strains are minor and recover with rest. Warming up and stretching before participating in vigorous exercise is the greatest strategy to lessen the risk of straining muscles and tendons.

2. Sprains

Strains are the ligament equivalent of muscle strains. Ligaments are the connective tissues between bones. When these ligaments rotate in the wrong direction, they might pull or tear. In athletes, ankle sprains are likely the most common type of sprain, followed by knee, wrist, and elbow sprains, etc. Sprains are often painful, take longer to heal than strains, and may necessitate immobilisation to prevent additional injury. Stretching and warming up before a workout can help prevent sprains, as can practising proper technique in the sport you are playing. For instance, if you have a history of spraining a knee or ankle, it might be prudent to wear a brace to protect that joint while playing.

3. Knee Injuries

Because the knee is a remarkably complex joint that sustains a great deal of force and wears throughout most sports, we have assigned it its own category of potential problems. Tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), cartilage rips, dislocation, and fractures are pretty common. Knee injuries may be severe and debilitating, needing corrective surgery on occasion. Again, warm-ups, stretches, excellent posture, and suitable cushioning and bracing can lessen the risk of knee injury (for instance, while playing contact sports).

4. Fractures

Impact and contact sports frequently result in bone fractures (primarily in the arms, legs, and feet), which can be painful, require weeks of immobilisation, and occasionally necessitate surgery. Fractures are dangerous in most physically demanding and/or contact sports. Still, you may lessen the risk by wearing the proper protection, warming up, exercising to maintain muscular strength and flexibility, practising excellent technique, etc. Additionally, do not “play through the pain,” as discomfort often indicates a strain or sprain that, if left untreated, can cause the bone to become brittle.

5. Back Pain and Back Injuries

Your back and spinal column are subjected to some amount of stress throughout nearly every sport. Over time, this tension may collect as inflammation around the vertebrae and back muscles, occasionally causing disc damage and commonly resulting in upper or lower back discomfort. Sometimes, a quick collision might also induce an acute back injury. Back treatments might range from rest to physical therapy to surgery, depending on the problem. The greatest method to limit your risk of back discomfort and injury is to maintain strong and flexible back muscles with frequent low-impact exercises, warm-ups, and a healthy diet.