Nobody wants to be injured, but if you play a sport, it’s not just the short term pain that will get to you – it’s being out of action and unable to indulge in your favourite pastime. We’ve compiled a list of basic tips and tricks for reducing your chances of injury when playing your sport, whether that’s rugby, football, tennis or table tennis.
Prevention is key: One of the best ways to avoid injuries in sports is to prevent them from happening in the first place. This means warming up properly before physical activity, and cooling down afterwards. Stretching and strengthening exercises can also help reduce the risk of injury. Serious injuries, such as head trauma, can be avoided with the use of technology designed to tell your coaches how hard you’re getting hit and whether you need to be pulled out. This is ideal for people like boxers, martial artists and rugby players. Don’t believe me? Check out the rugby results this weekend and tell me whether you’d fancy having your skull rocked by one of those guys.
Use the right equipment: Make sure you are using the proper equipment for your sport, and that it fits well. This includes things like mouth guards, helmets, and protective padding. Again, smart equipment can help track your data to flag potential injury risks.
Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to your surroundings while you are playing, and be aware of potential hazards. This can help you avoid accidents and injuries.
Listen to your body: If you are feeling pain or discomfort, don’t push through it. Take a break, and see a doctor if the pain persists.
Play by the rules: Following the rules of your sport can help reduce the risk of injuries. This includes things like avoiding dangerous plays and using proper technique.
Be in good shape: Having a good level of fitness can help reduce the risk of injuries in sports. This means staying at a healthy weight, and being physically fit.
Get enough rest: It’s important to get enough rest and recovery time, especially if you are training hard or playing multiple sports. This can help to prevent overuse injuries. It’s also how you get better. Fitness levels, muscle levels – they’re all developed when you rest. You do still need to do the work before resting though… sitting on the sofa without anything to recover from isn’t going to drive results. You definitely wouldn’t get injured sat there though, so that’s a plus. That said, I’m sure there are plenty of stories out there of couch injuries.
Following these tips can help you avoid injuries in sports, enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle, prolong your playing time and level you up in your chosen sport.
