What Can People Do to Prevent Sports Injuries?

These tips can help you avoid sports injures.

  • Don’t bend your knees more than half way when doing knee bends.
  • Don’t twist your knees when you stretch. Keep your feet as flat as you can.
  • When jumping, land with your knees bent.
  • Do warmup exercises before you play any sport.
  • Always stretch before you play or exercise.
  • Don’t overdo it.
  • Cool down after hard sports or workouts.
  • Wear shoes that fit properly, are stable, and absorb shock.
  • Use the softest exercise surface you can find; don’t run on asphalt or concrete.
    Run on flat surfaces
  • .

For adults:

  • Don’t be a “weekend warrior.” Don’t try to do a week’s worth of activity in a day or two.
    Learn to do your sport right. Use proper form to reduce your risk of “overuse” injuries.
    Use safety gear.
  • Know your body’s limits.
  • Build up your exercise level gradually.
  • Strive for a total body workout of cardiovascular, strength-training, and flexibility exercises.

For parents and coaches:

  • Group children by their skill level and body size, not by their age, especially for contact sports.
  • Match the child to the sport. Don’t push the child too hard to play a sport that she or he may not like or be able to do.
  • Try to find sports programs that have certified athletic trainers.
  • See that all children get a physical exam before playing.
  • Don’t play a child who is injured.
  • Get the child to a doctor, if needed.
  • Provide a safe environment for sports.

For children:

  • Be in proper condition to play the sport.
  • Get a physical exam before you start playing sports.
  • Follow the rules of the game.
  • Wear gear that protects, fits well, and is right for the sport.
  • Know how to use athletic gear.
  • Don’t play when you are very tired or in pain.
  • Always warm up before you play.
  • Always cool down after you play.

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