Every sport brings with it wear and tear, and extra stress, on a particular body part. If you know what to expect going in, then you might be able to avoid these injuries. After all, why screw up with a vicious ping-pong induced tennis elbow? This article will list 3 sports that guys like to play and the most common injury associated with each one. We will tell you what you can do to avoid it, and how to overcome it if you get it. So keep reading before you start playing, as you might want to learn about an elephant chain before you get drunk with your rugby team!
Things To Remember
Before we begin, keep in mind that no matter what sport it is that you like to play, warming up and stretching before and stretching and cooling down after are the two general rules to prevent most (if not all) common sports injuries. This becomes more relevant as you enter your 20s, and only becomes more of a factor with each passing year. That being said, no matter what age you are, injuries can occur. Even though a younger body has tendency to bounce back a lot quicker, chronic injuries start when you are young and get progressively worse (or they tend to reoccur more frequently) as you age. There are also injuries specific to certain sports that get worse the longer you partake in a sport, but we will discuss these problems when we discuss the sport. And one small note - we decided to double up on the letter P this month, as none of us could agree on our N & O sports (NASCAR & Orienteering).
Paintball
Paintball may not seem like an obvious choice at first glance, but a lot of guys have invested time and money into this game, and it can be one of those casual sports that cause you serious injury. And since must guys will go play paintball with their buddies before they would ever go parachuting or paragliding, we felt it was good replacement for N & O. Anyway, aside from the obvious potential for head and eye injury (wear the right equipment!), paintball often result in injuries that are common to those who do trail running; because when you add in uneven terrain you increase both knee and ankle injuries.
How To Avoid It & What To Do If It Happens
The best way to avoid serious ankle or knee injury on rough terrain is to go slower and wear footwear that has excellent traction – even spikes. You also need to have a sharp eye to watch for loose debris and other hazards, which makes this sport particularly challenging, as you must be on the lookout for enemy sniper fire. A twisted ankle can be helped on the spot by removing the weight and wrapping the ankle. Knees require more care, as long-term problems can occur. Avoid running on loose rocks, and try to find firm ground for the greatest stability.
Ping Pong (Table Tennis)
Outside of China, some might not consider this a sport. But a lot of people have a dusty table in their basement, and they naturally assume they can play without injury whenever they want too. And if you are an aggressive player, chances are you won’t hold back and play nice. The swinging action of the paddle puts similar stress on your elbow as tennis or other racquet sports, which can lead to tennis elbow. The wrist is also susceptible, but only if you are snapping it to deliver viscous spins.
How To Avoid It & What To Do If It Happens
Since you probably didn’t warm up at all, the odds are good you might injure your elbow. The best way to avoid it is to avoid prolonged playing, especially if you are new to the game or haven’t played it in sometime. Avoid aggressive play that causes you to make sharp snapping motions as you go in for the kill can also increase your risk. Tennis elbow takes time to heal, usually in the neighborhood of 4-6 weeks. If you must play, get an elbow brace or tensor bandage, or play against young children.
Rugby
Rugby is a game that is played nearly everywhere on the planet, and it also has one of the highest injury rates of any sport. Why? Well, the main reason is that participants wear little or no protective gear. Plus, people tend to pile on top of each other, which puts stress and pressure on the person at the bottom of the pile. Common injuries range from the severe – broken or fractured bones – to the minor – bruising and cuts.
How To Avoid It & What To Do If It Happens
The best way to avoid serious injury in this sport is to increase your body and muscle mass. This game is particular hard on younger male players (15-19 years old), mainly due to their size. Fractured and broken bones occur as a result of collisions, hits, and pile-ups. Learning how to take a hit, and avoiding the bottom of the pile are two sound strategies to avoid these serious injuries. If you start to feel pain, start fighting the pile to get the weight off the affected area. The only cure is recuperation. Strains and sprains occur do to the physical nature of this sport, and the tendency to clump together to prevent movement. Normally, you upper or lower body is locked into a specific place, and then the group shifts causing a sprain or other injury. Avoid planting your feet if you get into this position, as your knees and ankles react very poorly when they have to do abnormal motions. Elephant chain – a ritual among some rugby teams to initiate newbies. It involves the team stripping naked, then lining up in a row. You then reach your hand between the legs of your teammate and grab his balls. Then everyone walks or hobbles their way into the bar. No injuries here, other than to your pride. The good news is you will probably be drunk; so don’t worry about the long-term psychological effects!
Stay tuned for more ways to fight common sports injuries!
