This is it! The last installment of our series on sports injuries! 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, the last thing you need in life is to get spiked in the face while playing beach volleyball! (Yes, this did happen to me!) 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 practice falling gracefully before you go waterskiing!
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.
Beach Volleyball
Volleyball has made an amazing comeback over the last decade, thanks in a large part to rule changes at the Olympic Games and the introduction of 2 on 2 beach volleyball. If you have never played 2 on 2, then you might be in for a shock. It is one hell of a workout, and playing on sand makes things a lot harder. Like hard court, beach players tend to suffer most frequently from knee injuries. But unlike hard court, you have to work a lot harder to get to the ball, and you have to play on sand. So while you do benefit from a lower impact, you lose out on a stable landing surface. Volleyball players also suffer from hand and finger injuries, and the ankle can twist on sand or on the court. But the knee is still the most likely injury zone, and accounts for the bulk of injuries on the pro circuit.
How to avoid it & what to do if it happens
The main cause of knee injury in any sport occurs when the knee moves in a direction it shouldn’t. This is a far more likely occurrence when you are playing on soft sand, as the surface is uneven and unpredictable. There are a few things you can do to minimize your chances of a tear, strain or sprain. First, play in bare feet. This will allow you the flexibility you need, rather than a stiff outsole that could cause you to turn your ankle or knee sharply. Second, be aware of the surface you are playing on. If you play regularly, then bring a rake and make sure the surface is even and rock-free. Third, learn how to land. Spiking with gusto is great, but bad landings = bad knees. Practice until you get it right, so your landings won’t knock you out for the season. If you do sprain, strain or tear, then get off the court ASAP. Dip that knee into the beer cooler and get to a hospital.
Weightlifting
Weightlifting is a pastime and a sport, and chances are you have done it at least once in your life. The most common injury in the sport varies depending on what part of the body you are working, but almost all the injuries result in serious muscle strain and/or overuse. Guys like to push each other to pump more and to pump longer, and of course we don’t like to back down. So it is not uncommon to see a guy blow out a shoulder, elbow, or back while trying to impress his buds.
How to avoid it & what to do if it happens
Although you might not think it, warming up prior to weightlifting is probably more critical here than in any other sport. You might not be doing cardio exercise, but muscles require serious warmth and flexibility prior to hard usage. The other smart thing to do is to gradually increase weights, rather than jumping into heavy lifting. And if you decide to try a new machine or routine, take it easy the first few times until you get into a rhythm. The nice thing about weightlifting is your body usually gives you an early warning prior to tendons detaching from bone. So the minute you feel a burning sensation or a funny twinge, pack it in for the day and leave that muscle group alone for a week.
Yachting
Okay, yachting might not be for everyone, but chances are you have been on a boat! Plus, yachting has become even more popular since Wedding Crashers! And let’s face it – yachting has become something that everyone wants to do, meaning a whole whack of inexperienced, out of shape guys are out their trying to be sailors. Probably the most common injuries are minor – cuts, abrasions and burns. But every now and then inexperience leads to a major head injury or muscle tear. While some of the minor injuries are just part of the sailing life, some of the bigger injuries can be avoided.
How to avoid it & what to do if it happens
Weather can sometimes have a major impact on injury rates – both good weather and bad. Bad weather can make people sloppy due to panic, rain, fear, etc., while good weather can make you too relaxed and easy going. The boom is responsible for many a major injury and it has been known to knock people unconscious, overboard, and even taken the occasional life. Be aware of the boom, and learn when to duck. If you do take a knock on the head, make sure you stay away from the side. Because if you pass out, you want to pass out on the boat. If you don’t get knocked out, then just laugh it off and learn from your mistake. After all, you don’t want all your bikini-clad friends to think you’re a newbie!
That’s it for sports injuries! We hope you have lots of fun playing, and that you always avoid serious injury!
