Tips to Help Prevent Sports Injuries Part 2

If you read our last blog about our tips to help prevent sports injuries, you'll know that we think sports are a fun way to be active and great way to stay fit. For adults and children alike, sports are generally good for us because they increase our confidence, teach us lessons in work ethic and teamwork, and improve our fitness level.  However, every sport does carry risks of injury.  The most common sports injuries are a result of overuse, especially in young athletes who are often pushed to play on multiple teams and play at a highly competitive level.  Injuries due to overuse include sprains (injuries to ligaments), strains (injuries to muscles), and stress fractures (injuries to bones).

Absolute Wellness Center is your health and wellness expert at the Lake of the Ozarks.  We view the body as a complex and integrated system where physical, mental, and chemical health go hand in hand to reach true healing and improve overall wellbeing.  Absolute Wellness Center integrates many forms of healthcare at the Lake of the Ozarks to help you maximize your optimal health potential.  Here are 5 more of our best tips for helping prevent sports injuries.

6. Use Proper Technique

Every sport has a right way and wrong way of doing things.  It is important to use the right form when participating in any sport.  If you are new to a sport, ask a coach or trainer to watch you during practice to make sure you're using the right technique.  If you're a parent or coach of children who are just beginning a sport, it is important that you teach them the correct technique from the start.  For example, football players should learn the correct way to tackle to avoid a concussion and baseball players should follow the guidelines on how many throws to make in a day.  It only takes one time for an injury to happen.

7. Stay Hydrated  

Especially during the summertime, athletes are at a high risk for heat-related illnesses.  Reduce your risk for heat-related illnesses by properly hydrating before, during, and after exercising or playing a sport.  The best way to hydrate before and during a game is by drinking plenty of water.  One sports drink is okay for after an intense workout or vigorous sporting event, but you should generally limit your intake of sugary drinks. 

8. Follow a Well-Balanced Diet

For your body to perform at its best, it needs to be properly nourished.  It is important for athletes to eat a well-balanced diet to replace the calories they are burning.  Healthy and nutritious foods give the body the energy and fuel it needs to be active.  Be sure to eat a healthy snack 30 minutes to an hour before a workout.  Replace sugary energy bars with a banana or greek yogurt, or make your own protein bars at home.  After an intense game, skip the pizza party and eat something nourishing that replaces the nutrients your body has burned up such as grilled chicken and vegetables or salmon with sweet potatoes. It is common for teenagers who play multiple sports or who play on multiple teams at a high level to be underweight or undernourished.  Their bodies already need a well-balanced diet as they are growing and developing, and an intense workout schedule requires a diet with a high nutritional value.  At Absolute Wellness Center, we offer nutritional counseling and supplementation services to help you reach your optimal health potential.

9. Manage Emotional Stress

The pressure to win can cause emotional stress for any athlete.  Unfortunately, many players, parents, and coaches consider winning the most important aspect of the sport.  If you are the parent or coach of an athlete, be sure to encourage effort, sportsmanship, and hard work rather than solely focusing on winning or losing.  Reward your children or players for trying their best and improving their skills rather than punishing them for losing a game.  Remind them to have fun and focus on improving their skills and achieving long-term goals, rather than putting all the emphasis on the outcome of a single game.

10. Get a Pre-Season Physical

Sports physicals help assess an athlete's overall health before the start of the season and can pick up on minor injuries before they become more serious.  At Absolute Wellness Center, we offer sports physicals and pediatric wellness checks to determine if young athletes are fit to play.  

Overall, sports are generally good for our health. Although there are risks of injury in every sport, taking these precautions can help prevent sports injuries. Practicing safe play and getting in the habit of following these tips everytime you or your child participates in sports may not only reduce the risk of injury, but may also improve performance, reduce muscle soreness, and improve wellbeing.

At Absolute Wellness Center, we offer a variety of health care services at the Lake of the Ozarks focusing on the individual as an integrated system in which all parts intertwine and connect.  By addressing physical, mental, and chemical elements, we can help you maximize your health potential. Give us a call, visit our website, or come in and see us for more information on how we can help you reach your health and wellness goals.


Absolute Wellness Center Inc
4203 E US Hwy 54
Linn Creek, MO 65052
573-346-3777
Location: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, USA

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