Sports Safety Guide - LiveHealth Online Espanol

School is back in session and if your child plays a fall sport, chances are they have had an injury or two on their team so far this year.  Most injuries occur during practice, not during the game itself.

If you’re starting up or getting back into your fitness routine this fall, the last thing you want to do is waste time or end up injured. It’s always worth reviewing sport’s safety tips and exercise techniques, particularly on foundation exercises for major muscle groups to ensure you optimize your time and results.

These exercises are easily found on line, with your coach or ask a PE teacher. These qualified people understand the basic principles of warming up muscles and joints for play.

A dynamic warm-up is encouraged pre-exercise while static stretches are best after a work out, when you are cooling down. Many people forget this cool down time, but it can be an injury saver.

The 7 most common sports injuries are:

• Ankle sprain
• Groin pull
• Hamstring strain
• Shin splints
• Knee injury: ACL tear
• Knee injury: Patellofemoral syndrome — injury resulting from the repetitive movement of your kneecap against your thigh bone.
• Tennis elbow (epicondylitis)

Be aware of these injuries for both yourself and your child.

If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911. If you would like to speak to a doctor online, you can anytime using LiveHealth Online.

Comments and opinions from Dr. Mia Finkelston are hers alone. This is an essay and is not considered medical treatment.