LIVEWELL MINUTE: Preventing Sports Injuries

Participation in any sport, whether it’s recreational bike riding or football, can teach people to stretch their limits, and learn sportsmanship and discipline. But any sport that you participate in also carries the potential for injury. By knowing the causes of sports injuries and how to prevent them, you can help make athletics a more positive experience.

Dr. Marc Molis, Sports Medicine Physician, UnityPoint Health says, “Many injuries can be avoided if your body is ready for the activity. Don’t wait until the week before a big event to start training. Also, if you haven’t been participating in the activity in a while, don’t expect unrealistic results. Trying to do too much too soon can cause overuse injuries.”

It is important to warm up your muscles before you put them into use. Warm muscles are less susceptible to injury. Ease your body into motion with activity-specific warm-ups.

Dr. Molis suggests,  ”Remember that rest is a critical component of proper training. It can make you stronger and prevent injuries of overuse, fatigue and poor judgment. Before you get started with exercising or sport activities, make sure you are taking steps to prevent injuries before they have a chance to sideline you.”