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6 Dangerous School Sports And How To Prevent Injury

Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center - September 11, 2015

Athletes are favored highly in the US, whether it's professionals or Little Leaguers. A great deal of emphasis is put on success in sports for young athletes, which adds pressure to play.

Unfortunately, so much pressure to continually play school sports comes with a lot of injuries.

Here are 6 dangerous school sports and how to prevent injury.

1. Baseball

The most common injury in baseball is damage to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), which injures pitchers' elbows who throw too much.

This ligament is what stabilizes the elbow. Once it's damaged, it's extremely difficult to repair and rehabilitate.

Source: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Baseball Injury Prevention

The following tips may help prevent baseball injuries:

  • Warm up slowly with gradual throwing.
  • Change up playing positions.
  • Don't pitch with shoulder or elbow pain.
  • Play year round.
  • Stick to pitch counts based on age of the athlete.

Source: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

2. Basketball

Basketball requires endurance, since players sprint back and forth on the court. It shouldn't be a surprise that about 1.6 million injuries occur from basketball each year.

Out of these 1.6 million injuries, the most common are:

  • Ankle sprains
  • Jammed fingers
  • Knee injuries
  • Deep thigh bruises
  • Facial cuts
  • Foot fractures

Source: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Basketball Injury Prevention

Here are tips to prevent basketball injuries:

  • Have a physical exam before the season begins.
  • Maintain proper fitness.
  • Stay hydrated.
  • Do not continue to play if already injured.
  • Gradually ease back into playing if you've been inactive.

Source: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

3. Football

Football injuries happen both during practice and games from a mix of high speeds and full contact.

The most common football injuries are to the knee, specifically the anterior or posterior cruciate ligament (ACL/PCL) and the menisci (cartilage in the knee). These injuries can sideline a player and require surgery.

Football players may also incur the following injuries:

  • Shoulder Injuries
  • Concussions
  • Heat Injuries
  • Overuse injuries

Source: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Football Injury Prevention

The follow tips may help prevent injury while playing football:

  • Warm up and cool down correctly.
  • Do strength training and stretch.
  • Stay active during the summer.
  • Have a physical exam before the season begins.

Source: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

4. Hockey

Hockey injuries occur more in hockey games than in practice. Injuries happen due to player position, pre-existing injuries, protective gear, and player behavior.

The most common hockey injury is concussion. But hockey players can also sustain these injuries:

  • Shoulder injuries: Broken collarbones and shoulder separation
  • Elbow injuries: Damaged ursal tissue can cause recurring inflammation
  • Wrist injuries: Fractures
  • Back injuries: Pulled muscles or low-back pain
  • Hip injuries: Groin or hip flexor strains
  • Knee injuries: Sprain of the medial collateral ligament, ACL, and meniscus tears

Source: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Hockey Injury Prevention

To prevent injury while playing hockey

:

  • Do a hockey conditioning program.
  • Get new high-quality equipment that fits your body well.
  • Brace yourself with the forearms rather than wrists.
  • Stretch your muscles before playing.
  • Have a physical exam before the season begins.

Source: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

5. Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a full-contact sport with minimal padding, compared to football.

A majority of lacrosse injuries are minor strains, sprains, and bruises. In fact, 37% of reported injuries are ankle sprains. ACL tears and knee injuries are the main reason for lost practice and game time.

Strains in the muscle are also a problem for lacrosse players, especially strains to the quadriceps, groin, and hamstrings. Shin splints, foot blisters, and abrasions to lower extremities are also common.

Lacrosse Injury Prevention

Here are some tips to prevent injury in lacrosse:

  • Wear equipment that's right for your body.
  • Tell your doctor about any and all injuries.
  • Stay in shape during the off season.
  • Condition yourself properly.
  • Have a physical exam before the season begins.

Source: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

6. Soccer

Traumatic injuries to the lower extremities, sprains, and strains, are the most common while playing soccer. Tears in the cartilage and ACL sprains are the most common injuries that may require surgery.

Soccer players can also incur:

  • Wrist sprains
  • Wrist fractures
  • Shoulder dislocations
  • Cuts
  • Bruises
  • Neck sprains
  • Concussions

Source: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Soccer Injury Prevention

These are the best ways to prevent injury during soccer:

  • Stay hydrated.
  • Stay in shape during the off season.
  • Wear cleats and shin guards that fit.
  • Have a physical exam before the season begins.

American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Schedule a physical exam with an Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center physician to prevent a sports injury from occurring.