SKIING  and SNOWBOARDING - are some of the most popular winter sports in the U.S., even though they result in tens of thousands of treated injuries every year. Both skiing and snowboarding can result in sports in sports injuries, but they tend to have slightly  different injury patterns. Skiers are more likely to have knee injuries resulting from twisting motions made during falls, while snowboarders tend to have more upper body injuries as a result of falling on an outstretched hand. There are also many injuries common to both types of winter athletes.

Knee Injuries-  Skiers are more prone to knee injuries, as the sport involves more twisting and turning. A sign of these injuries is a popping sound during the motion.

Anterior and posterior cruciate ligament (ACL/PCL) injuries. - These are injuries to the ligaments that stabilize the knee, and often happen with sudden twisting while the feet are planted. ACL injuries are often treated conservatively, but in the case of a complete tear, surgery and reconstruction may be needed.  Meniscus tears:  The meniscus is the cartilage in your knee that allows smooth motion. A tear can happen with sudden twisting motions. Treatment is usually conservative, but large tears may require surgery.

Lower back pain: Forceful movements are one cause of low back pain, and you may sustain an injury from overuse, falls or when getting up awkwardly after a fall.

Herniated disks: A fall might cause this injury, in which a disk in your spine ruptures, leaking jelly-like fluid. This can irritate your nerves and result in back pain. Often, this injury will be treated conservatively, but surgery may be recommended. 

How Skiing Causes Back Pain 

• While skiing, the body's core muscles - lower back muscles and abdominal muscles - are used to keep the body in the...
• Carrying the heavy skis, boots, and other equipment can be awkward and lead to lower back strain
• Falling while skiing can jar, twist, or otherwise stress the spine and soft tissue structures connected or supporting...

COLD WEATHER -

 In outdoor cold weather endurance events, such as cross-country skiing, it is possible for a case of hypothermia to occur at the same time the athlete is experiencing dehydration. The return to normal fluid levels will determine how quickly the thermoregulatory system can resume normal function. 

 Hypothermia occurs when the body experiences a decrease in core temperature. There are varying severities of hypothermia, the cooler the core body temperature the more severe the hypothermia. Prolonged exposure to cool, wet, windy environmental conditions increases the likelihood of hypothermia. 

SOCCER-Common sports injuries: Although safe compared to many sports, soccer carries risks. Athletes run the chance of sustaining a minor, major, or even debilitating long-term injury. It's the price we pay for having the confidence and courage to go for the goal, while enjoying the exercise the sport provides. Most soccer injuries involve the ankles, knees, and head. Occasionally, goalies will injure their hands or get kicked.  Soccer injuries are of two general kinds: acute or traumatic, and overuse. Both kinds can occur in either upper or lower parts of the body, though for soccer athletes, it most commonly happens in the lower extremities. An acute soccer injury can be caused by a sudden twisting of the knee, getting hit in the shines, or being slammed in the head by another player competing for a head shot.

Head Injuries:  Sometimes soccer players are hit in the head going for a head shot. Statistically, more concussions come from playing soccer than from any other contact sport,  including American Football. Because soccer player don't wear helmets, practicing proper heading techniques.

 Many soccer players are familiar with overuse injuries, which are stress injuries caused by repeated use of  muscles, bones, tendons, and connective tissues around the knees and ankles. Overuse injuries often begin as a minor ache or pain that progresses into a more serious long -term injury, if left untreated.

Knee Injuries: One of the most common soccer injuries is tearing of the cartilage and ligaments in and around the knees from all the sudden stopping, starting, jumping, and switching directions. Symptoms include swelling and inflammation, and pain can range from mild to severe. Another injury is a pulled groin from sudden movements, ample stretching and warm-ups should prevent this injury. Ankle Injuries: Sprains and strains are the most common traumatic soccer injuries. Sudden tearing and stretching of ligaments around the ankles can be very painful and require medical attention.

HEADING THE BALL:

 In soccer, heading the ball is just part of the game, but unfortunately, it is also a common cause of concussion injury. Head injuries occur in other ways on the soccer field - colliding with other players, getting kicked in the head or chin, falling down or even stopping too abruptly. 

CTE IN SOCCER

 Study co-lead author Dr. Huw Morris, a neurologist, said researchers don't know exactly what causes CTE in soccer players or how great the risk may be. "Major head injuries in are more commonly caused by player collisions rather than heading the ball," Morris said. 

BASKETBALL-Some of the most common basketball injuries are suffered in the area of the knee, ankle, foot and back. The Injury can be a sprain, torn or partially torn ligament and tendon or muscle strain. In worst cases fractures can occur especially in the leg and ankle.  The more common traumatic injuries in basketball include: Anterior and Posterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL/P) Injuries. These are the major ligaments. In Basketball a common injury is to the foot and ankle. As a whole, dribbling combined with constant jumping cause this injury.

In fact, basketball is one of the most high-risk sports for eye injuries,  with an estimated 6,000 basketball eye injuries happening each year. When taking into account all sports, an estimated 100,000 people hurt their eyes on the court or field, and 13,500 end in permanent vision loss.

Basketball Drills in the Heat:

 The NCAA handbook says athletes should be gradually introduced to activity in warm temperatures over a "minimum period of 10 to 14 days." The handbook also provides a list of signs and symptoms of heat injury, notes that heatstroke is most likely to occur at the start of preseason practices and says some athletes with certain health conditions or who are not adequately in shape can be more susceptible to heatstroke. 

ACL Tears

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are some of the most common traumatic orthopedic injuries among athletes, including basketball players. The ACL, which serves to connect and stabilize the bones of the knee joint, can suffer a sprain or tear. These types of injuries are often caused by sudden stops, incorrect jumping lands, or quick changes of direction during basketball activity.

ACHILLES TENDON

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel and is used when walking, running, and jumping, so it is common for basketball players to injure this tendon. Achilles tendonitis occurs when the t

endon becomes inflamed from repetitive stress, either from pushing yourself too hard, tight calf muscles, or a bone spur. Achilles tendonitis can result in pain, swelling, and stiffness in the tendon and/or the back of the heel. In some cases, the tendon may also tear if it is under too much stress. Anderson Varejao of the Cleveland Cavaliers tore his Achilles tendon in late December and will miss the rest of the season to recover.

Treatment: Most of the time, Achilles tendonitis can be treated without surgery, but it can take several months for symptoms to completely go away. Nonsurgical treatment generally includes rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy. Shoe inserts may also be recommended to relieve strain on the tendon. If the tendon tears, surgical repair is often the best option.

GYMNASTICS- is difficult and demanding sport for both men and women. Gymnastics injuries most frequently include stains and sprains, but serious and traumatic injuries can occur as well. And increase in risky stunts makes traumatic head and neck injuries a real concern for athletes, parents, and coaches.

Chronic (overuse) injuries: These include cumulative aches and pains that occur over time and can often be prevented with appropriate training and rest.

Acute  (traumatic) injuries: These are typically accidents that occur suddenly and can't always be avoided; they require immediate first aid.

The large majority of reported gymnastics injuries include overuse injuries from long hours of practice and wear and tear on the joints. However severe, catastrophie and traumatic injuries are also a real possibility when performing risky acrobatic stunts.

The two most common back injuries in gymnasts include muscle strains of the back and spondylolysis.

Tumbling, twisting and flipping on the mats or in the air can result in a variety of bruises and contusions to gymnasts.

Ankle Sprains: Ankle sprains top the list of the most common gymnastics ankle injuries. An  ankle sprain occurs when there is a stretching and tearing of ligaments surrounding the ankle joint. Wrist Sprains: A sprained wrist typically occurs when a gymnast stretches or tears the ligaments of the wrist. Falling or landing hard on the hands during handsprings is a common cause of wrist sprains.

Stress Fractures: In the leg are often the result of overuse or repeated impact on a hard surface, such as tumbling across the gym floor or hitting hard landings.

Other injuries include: Head, Neck and Shoulder Injuries:  Concussion, Fractured clavicle (shoulder), Neck strain, Shoulder separation, Shoulder dislocation, SLAP tear, Torn rotator cuff.

One of the main reasons for the high number of gymnastics injuries may be the increase in advanced stunts and higher levels of competition in recent years. Today's gymnastics stunts include increasingly technical acrobatic and gymnastic moves with a much higher degree of risk and difficulty than in years past.

Gymnasts routinely hurl themselves through the air performing back-flips, twists and tumbles and new, cutting -edge stunts. These moves require precision, timing and a high degree of skill in acrobatics, strength and balance. 

Overuse knee injuries seen in gymnast include Osgood-Schlatter disease and Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome.  Osgood-Schlatter disease  (OSD) is inflammation of the patellar ligament at the tibial tuberosity (apophysitis).  It is characterized by a painful bump just below the knee that is worse with activity and better with rest. Episodes of pain typically last a few weeks to months. One or both knees may be affected and flares may recur. Risk factors include overuse especially sports which involve frequent running or jumping.  (OSD) is more common in boys than in girls.It is afairly common cause of knee pain.  

Many gymnastics injuries can be prevented by following proper training guidelines, using safety equipment, and incorporating the following tips:

• Wear all required safety gear whenever competing or training — special equipment may include wrist guards, hand grips, footwear, ankle or elbow braces, and pads
• Do not “play through the pain” — if you are hurt, see your doctor and follow instructions for treatment and recovery fully
• Make sure first aid is available at all competitions and practices
• Inspect equipment to ensure that it is in good condition, including padded floors, secured mats under every apparatus, and safety harnesses for learning difficult moves
• Insist on spotters when learning new skills
• Warm up muscles with light aerobic exercise, such as jumping jacks or running in place, before beginning training or new activities.
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Gymnastics has one of the highest injury rates among girls' sports, with almost 100,000 gymnasts injured each year. Compared to 20 years ago, young athletes:

• Begin at earlier ages
• Spend more time practicing
• Perform more difficult skills

These tips can help your gymnast prevent injury and improve performance.

Gymnasts must be both powerful and graceful. They first learn to perfect a skill and then work on making their bodies look elegant while performing it. Gymnasts use both their arms and legs, putting them at risk for injury to almost any joint in the body. Some gymnastics injuries, such as bruises and scrapes, are inevitable. More serious, common gymnastics injuries include:

• Wrist fractures
• Finger and hand injuries
• Cartilage damage
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
• Knee and low back pain
• Spinal fractures and herniated discs
• Achilles tendon strains or tears
• Ankle sprains
• Shoulder instability
• Colles' fracture
• Burners and stingers

Gymnasts are taught how to fall and land safely to decrease the risk of damage to the spine, head, neck, or wrist. Falls that result only in bruises and scrapes generally are not serious and don't require medical attention. Evaluation by a medical professional usually is advisable for more severe injuries, such as:

• Landing in an awkward position
• Missing her footing on the beam or grip on the bars
• Feeling pain after practicing a skill over and over

Head injuries from a fall can range from mild to severe. Symptoms may show up right away or hours later. The experts at UPMC Sports Medicine's Young Athlete Program can work with your pediatrician to evaluate and aggressively treat your gymnast's injuries to help prevent more serious long-term effects.

• Insufficient flexibility
• Decreased strength in the arms, legs, or core
• Poor balance
• Imbalances in strength or flexibility (one side stronger than the other)

Overuse injuries are the result of repetitive movement, often from kicking and turning on one side more than the other.This leads to muscle or flexibility imbalances, increasing the chance of gymnastics injuries.

A gymnast can be a "righty" or "lefty." This refers to the leg gymnasts kick with first when performing handstands, cartwheels, or round-offs, or the direction they tend to turn in doing full turns or twists. This can leave one side of the body stronger and more flexible than the other. Care should be taken to balance strength and flexibility on both sides. This chart shows what happens to a gymnast who normally kicks with the right leg when doing a handstand.

• Strength training is good for injury prevention. It also keeps gymnasts motivated by helping them progress to the next skill level.
• Having a strong core provides gymnasts with a stable base for the arms and legs as they move in different directions.
  • When the core (specifically the transverse abdominis muscle) contracts, it decreases the pressure placed on the lumbar spine. This muscle contracts when you try to draw the belly button toward the spine.
  • Contracting this muscle while performing exercises on a therapy ball or stable surface will strengthen the core.
  • Other good core exercises include planks, bridges, or tuck ups while hanging on the bar.
• Flexibility imbalances can occur in the thighs, calf muscles, and hips. Performing stretches several times a day and holding each stretch for 30 seconds will make a difference in flexibility.

Gymnasts are typically viewed as fearless. They not only walk across a four inch beam, but they perform flips and jumps on it.It's natural for a gymnast to feel excited, nervous, or afraid when performing a new skill or competing. But, if these feelings force gymnasts to lose their focus, they may end up "bailing" (stopping part way through) during a skill or not noticing that a foot or hand is in an incorrect position to complete the skill safely.It's important for coaches to be prepared to help the athlete land safely if this occurs.

Gymnasts strive for perfection. This can wear on the athlete, causing frustration or lack of enjoyment.Parents should support and talk to their gymnasts, but also let them know that, if they no longer enjoy the sport, it's okay to end participation.

BOXING-The most common boxing injury is the fracture that occurs in the metacarpal bones, the bones in your hand that run from the wrist and join up with the fingers.   It most commonly occurs as a result of punching an immobile object, and the damage is usually sustained to the bones below the ring and little fingers, although it can occur in the others as well. Fractures in the nose, jaw, and ribs are not uncommon.

If you sustain the injury, you will notice pain and swelling immediately. You will also find it difficult to move the fingers above the fracture, and bruising will soon set in. About 20% of boxers will experience this injury at some point.

Concussions: Are among the most serious injuries of all contact sports, with many experts arguing that years of sustaining repeated blows to the head can cause permeant damage.  If a person is hit in the head and seems dazed, nauseous, or complains of a headache, it is crucial to seek medical attention and not let them fall asleep. 

Injury to the "midbrain" which is part of the brainstem, is positionally vulnerable to head blows. Because it controls motor functions of the eyes and ears, those blows tend to cause ringing ears and problems focusing. It can also be a canary in the coal mine for brain injuries, if the midbrain shows tissue damage, it is likely that other portions of the brain also are being rattled and possibly harmed by impact.

Boxing has always been a popular sport because of its action, but recent information about head injuries has caused some to start the long-term feasibility of this sport. The goal of boxing, after all, is to knock your opponent out to gain a victory. As evidence of brain damage in boxers continues to build, there is definitely a need to understand the various injury statistics that have been accumulating over the years.

1. 90% of boxers will experience at least one brain injury during their career.
2. Archaeological discoveries of ancient cave drawings and other art suggest that boxing-like competition dates back as far as 3000 BC.
3. Boxing was outlawed in many American states in the mid-1800’s.
4. The force of a professional boxer’s fist is equivalent to being hit with a 13-pound bowling ball traveling 20 miles per hour.
5. The first mouthpiece was used during a professional fight in 1915.
6. The first amateur Golden Gloves championship was held in 1926.
7. There are 17 weight classes in professional male boxing, but anyone above 200 pounds fights in the same weight class.
8. From January of 1960 to August of 2011, there were 488 boxing-related deaths.
9. The percentage of boxing deaths that are related to brain damage that occurs: 66%.
10. In several studies, 15-40% of ex-boxers at any given time have been found to have symptoms of chronic brain injury.
11. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in children and adults from ages 1 to 44.
12. Boxing was used as a combat training tool during World War I.
13. At least 5.3 million Americans, 2% of the U.S. population, currently live with disabilities resulting from a TBI injury, including boxing related injuries.
14. Men are twice as likely to suffer from a TBI than women during the course of a boxing match.
15. There has been an average of 10 boxing deaths per year since 1900.
16. A chemical called neurofilament light, which is released when nerve cells are damaged, is 4x higher than normal in boxers after a fight.
17. With 15 high impact blows to the head, neurofilament light levels can be 8x higher.
18. Brain tissue that becomes damaged from boxing stays damaged permanently.
19. 18 out of 82 professional boxers in a recent study had a significantly impaired performance in information processing and verbal fluency 1 month after a knockout.
20. In a Swedish study on boxing brain injuries, up to 80% of the boxers exhibited protein changes that can be an indicator of brain damage, even though none of them had experienced a knockout.
21. 1 out of every 5 boxers, both amateur and professional, will suffer from a traumatic brain injury at some point in their career.
22. 17% of retired professional boxers exhibit chronic TBI symptoms.
23. More than 18,000 children and teens participate in amateur boxing and concussions account for as many as 51.6% of amateur boxers’ injuries.
24. During a 19-year study by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, an average of 8,700 boxing injuries were treated in United States emergency departments each year.
25. The number of children treated for boxing-related injuries annually at hospitals: 2,500.
26. Children as young as 6 years old are routinely treated in emergency departments at hospitals for boxing injuries.
27. Between 1990-2008, boxing-related injuries increased by 200% in every year.
28. 23% of the total injuries that are treated in professional settings from boxing are head and neck related.
29. The rate of closed head injuries from boxing is remarkably static across all age demographics at 8-10%.
30. Up to 20% of professional boxers develop neuropsychiatric sequelae.
31. Unlike MMA, boxers have a specific count that allows them to get to their feet in order to continue the match at the referee’s discretion.
32. The two age groups at highest risk for TBI are 0-4 year olds and 15-19 year olds.
33. Direct medical costs and indirect costs such as lost productivity of traumatic brain injuries totaled an estimated $60 billion in the United States in 2000.
34. About 40% of those hospitalized with a boxing brain injury had at least one unmet need for services one year after their injury.
35. Despite the financial gains of boxing, George Foreman has made more money selling his grills than for his boxing career in which he was a 2-time heavyweight champion.
36. Boxing gloves are actually more dangerous and result in more deaths than bareknuckle boxing. John Sullivan once fought a bareknuckled fight that lasted 75 rounds.
37. In professional boxing the record for most career knockouts is, 131 in 219 fights.
38. Female boxing was first featured in the 1904 Olympics as an exhibition event.
39. Boxing was first recognized.

MARTIAL ARTS--The injury type is often dependent on the particular form of martial arts being performed. Contact martial arts vary widely in their techniques, rules and protective equipment and these factors affect the injuries and injury rate.

Head/Eyes/Ear/Nose strikes and grappling can result in injuries such as cuts, bruises and lacerations.

Injuries may be more common in kicking than in traditional boxing, mixed martial arts or other contact sports.

That's about as dangerous as karate, but exceeds the typical injury rates of 1 per hour or less for mixed martial arts, boxing, taekwondo or judo.

About one-third of professional mixed martial arts matches end in knockouts or technical knockouts, indicating a higher incidence of brain trauma than boxing or other martial arts, according to a study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

University of Toronto researchers examined records and videos from 844 Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts from 2006 to 2012  for the study published , They found that 108 matches or nearly 13 % ended in knockouts. Another 179 matches, or 21%, ended in technical knockouts, usually after a combatant was hit in the head five to 10 times in the last 10 seconds before the fight was stopped,

With the technical knockout, or  TKOs, they reviewed videos a"an increasing number of repetitive strikes to the head" during the last 30 seconds of a match. Professional mixed martial arts includes elements of wrestling, judo, boxing and kickboxing inside an enclosure with fighters wearing small, fingerless gloves and no headgear.

Most states have legalized and regulated professional mixed martial arts although some are silent on the matter, New York is the only state that prohibits such fights and longstanding efforts to get it legalized recently stalled.

TAEKWONDO:

When a participant in taekwondo becomes hurt, it usually falls into one of two categories: acute injuries and cumulative injuries.

The easiest way to distinguish the two is that acute injuries are a result of impact related events: such as striking your opponent, receiving a kick, or breaking a board. Acute injuries are usually a direct result of contact.

This encompasses injuries like a broken nose from a kick to the head, bruising, contusions, other broken bones, and so forth. These are also called traumatic injuries, aptly named as they arise from a traumatic event taking place.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

In mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing, padded gloves and headgear are designed to lessen the forces encountered, primarily those resulting from linear acceleration, but what about other types of impact forces?

According to an investigation in the Journal of Neurosurgery, to date there has been little testing of rotational acceleration or rotational velocity, and no current rotational head injury scoring system. It is well known that rotational acceleration, rotational velocity, and combined linear-rotation impacts are key contributors to head and neck injuries.

Knowing this, researchers in Ohio (Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University, and SEA Ltd) and West Virginia (United Hospital Center Neurosurgery & Spine Center) simulated head and neck injuries sustained during hook punches and tested whether head and hand padding lessened these risks. They found padding lowered the linear, but not the rotational impact forces, and it did not eliminate the risk of brain strain injury.

Dr. Adam Bartsch and his colleagues used a Hybrid III anthropomorphic test device (ATD) (a crash test dummy) that represented a man in the fiftieth percentile to evaluate linear, rotational, and combined linear-rotational impact forces. A pendulum was used to deliver fifty-four blows to the left side of the ATD "head," replicating a right-handed hook punch at low force and high force. The "head" was tested uncovered or covered with padded boxing headgear. The pendulum was also tested uncovered or covered by a padded boxing or MMA glove.

Five impact conditions were investigated:

1. Bare head and boxing glove
2. Bare head and MMA glove
3. Boxing headgear and boxing glove
4. Boxing headgear and unpadded pendulum
5. Bare head and unpadded pendulum (control)

Each impact condition was examined six times at both low and high force levels, except the one involving the boxing headgear and boxing glove, which was only tested at the high force level. Impact force data was quantified according to seventeen dynamic head and neck injury risk parameters (such as head acceleration, impact duration, angular acceleration, and kinetic energy transfer), which were separated into linear, rotational, and combined linear-rotational groups.

Bartsch and his crew also used a Simulated Injury Monitor (SIMon) finite element brain model, a software program that takes into account various parts of the brain and how they theoretically respond during injury. The SIMon model provided information on brain compression, stretching, and pressure. Data obtained from the ATD experiment –particularly linear acceleration and angular velocity - were entered into the SIMon model. This offered an assessment of the risks of various brain injuries such as acute subdural hematoma and diffuse axonal injury.

PREVENT INJURY:

• Physical examination. It is important to see your doctor before participating in any sport. A patient history and physical exam are necessary in almost all high school and college sports; however, community sports and martial arts tend not to require such documentation. Cardiovascular, neurologic, and musculoskeletal problems should be thoroughly evaluated by a healthcare professional, such as a primary care doctor, before any training is begun.
• Maintain fitness. Be sure you are in good physical condition when you begin martial arts training. Fatigue during training and competition often leads to poor technique and injury. Do not do an activity if you are too tired to do it safely. 
  If you are out of shape at the start of your training, gradually increase your activity level and slowly build up to a higher fitness level. It is essential to build your strength and endurance before attempting complex martial arts techniques. Running, jumping rope, biking, and swimming are good cardiovascular activities to help improve your fitness level. Anaerobic exercise, such as strength training and plyometrics will also improve performance.
• Warm up. Always take time to warm up. Research studies show that cold muscles are more prone to injury. Warm up with jumping jacks, or running or walking in place for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Cool down and stretch. Stretching at the end of exercise is too often neglected because of busy schedules. Stretching can help reduce muscle soreness and keep muscles long and flexible. Be sure to stretch after each training practice to reduce your risk for injury.
• Hydrate. Even mild levels of dehydration can hurt athletic performance. If you have not had enough fluids, your body will not be able to effectively cool itself through sweat and evaporation.

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• Headgear is essential when sparring.
• Cups and protective waist belts add protection to the groin area.
• Use a mouthguard to protect your teeth, mouth, and tongue.
• If you wear glasses, use safety glasses or glass guards to protect your eyes.
• Wrap your hands with the appropriate sized wraps and with proper technique. Properly wrapped hands will feel secure.
• Proper footwear is important. On matted floors, avoid socks or footwear that may cause you to slip. In many cases, going barefoot provides the most stability. Talk to your coach or supervisor about what type of footwear would be best for your activity and skill level.

• Spotting (watching and monitoring) is essential. A coach or supervisor should spot participants during all sessions, especially when complex or challenging moves are being performed.
• Protecting oneself during a fall should be one of the first techniques learned and perfected. Being thrown by an opponent at high speed, or falling onto one's neck or head, can result in serious injury.
• New techniques should be practiced at half speed. It is also helpful to talk to your coach or supervisor before attempting a new move to ensure you understand how to safely execute it.
• Understand the dangers of performing submission holds incorrectly.
  • Know how much force may inflict injury.
  • Know your opponent's level of experience. Newer participants may not understand when they are in danger of injury.
  • When being held, recognize when you should tap out for your own safety

JOCKEYS- are the worst-paid and most seriously injured athletes in any professional sport. The thoroughbreds they ride are running at speeds of more than 40 mph, which means that paralysis and even death are not uncommon.

Despite the incredible risks they take, as well as the staggering amount of money involved in the sport of horse racing, many jockeys will earn as little  as $28 for riding in a race.

Unsurprisingly, head injuries are a major source of concern among jockeys, and we're still learning about the mechanism and long-term impact of them. Concussions account for about 8 to 15 % of equestrian -related injuries, but mild to moderate ones can go  undetected, especially if a ride underreports his or her symptoms. Researchers are working on a blood test to detect elevated chemical levels which could help doctors determine the severity  of a concussion and how long the rider needs to sit out.

Unconsciousness is not a good indicator for whether someone has suffered a concussion.  Obviously, if a rider has been knocked unconscious during a fall there is a strong chance they have sustained a concussion.  A jockey also does not have to experience a direct blow to the head to get a concussion.  It is important to note concussion is the result of the brain hitting the inside of the skull, not an impact to the skull's exterior.

We are learning more about the dangers of second Impact Syndrome,  it occurs when a second concussion or other brain injury is experienced days or weeks after a concussion. In response to the repeated trauma, the brain can swell rapidly, resulting  in coma or death, as well as a vicious return of previously-quelled concussion symptoms which may then persist for weeks or months. It's unknown exactly how much time must elapse between concussions to avoid  Second Impact Syndrome.    

Dehydration could play a role in increasing damage from neurologic trauma. As a result of weight reduction strategies, jockeys are often dehydrated, in some cases severely so, This  impacts cognitive processes and all kind of body functions necessary to performmance, but also  puts their brains at risk. Dehydration could reduce  the amount of cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.  It hasn't been proven conclusively yet,  but medical experts say it's reasonable to expect a reduction in that  fluid could leave the brain and spinal cord without as much protection against an impact.

AVOIDING INJURY

 Decide to fall off when you need to. As a rider, your goal is to stay on the horse. However, at some point when you've run into trouble on your horse, you have to decide that you're falling and commit to it. If you feel like your horse is going down, you need to get off it. That means dropping the reins and preparing to tuck and roll so that you can fall safely.[1]

• As you decide you're going to fall, kick your feet out of the stirrups to start getting away from the horse.
• If you hold onto the reins as you fall, you may hurt your shoulder or be dragged along the ground.
• 
  
• HORSEBACK RIDING: 

Horseback riding is great exercise for the entire body. But if you do not take appropriate precautions, you can be seriously injured while riding. According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), more than 48,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for horseback riding injuries in 2017.

Horseback riding injuries often occur to the arms as riders try to break a fall. These injuries include bruises, sprains, strains, and fractures of the wrist, shoulder, and elbow. The most serious horseback riding injuries can damage the pelvis, spine, and head and may be life-threatening.

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Here are some tips from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) to prevent horseback riding injuries:

• All riders should always wear horseback riding helmets that meet proper safety standards.
• Wear properly-fitted, sturdy leather boots with a minimal heel. Your clothing should be comfortable and not too loose.
• Inspect all riding equipment to make sure it is not damaged.
• Be sure the saddle and stirrups are appropriate to your size and are properly adjusted.
• Secure all riding equipment properly.
• Children and novice riders should consider using safety stirrups that break away if a rider falls off the horse.
• Novice riders should take lessons from experienced instructors.
• Young horseback riders should always be supervised.
• Amateurs should ride on open, flat terrain or in monitored riding arenas.
• Jumps and stunts require a higher level of riding skill. Do not attempt these without supervision.
• If you feel yourself falling from a horse, try to roll to the side (away from the horse) when you hit the ground.
• Do not ride a horse when you are tired, taking medications, or under the influence of alcohol.
• Always remember that you are riding an animal that has its own reactions to the sights, sounds, and smells you are both experiencing.
• Horses are flight animals. They will run away from sudden noises and movements. Stay alert for anything that might startle your horse. Be prepared to respond quickly.
• When trail riding, do not go off trail, no matter how tempting. Heed warning signs.
• Never walk behind a horse. It is best to approach them at their shoulder. This is less threatening to them.
• To gauge a horse's demeanor, watch the horse's head, particularly its ears. The ear movements of a horse will provide you with information about how the horse is reacting to its environment, people, or other animals. A horse will direct one or both of its ears toward a sound. Ears held the side can indicate that a horse is sick, sedated, or sleeping. Ears that are pinned back indicate anger or a threat.
• If you are giving the horse a treat, be sure to keep your hand open and your fingers extended and flat. Horses can inadvertently bite and break fingers that are cupped around a treat.
• 
  

RISK OF INJURY: 

  Jockeys are at risk from the moment they come into contact with the horse (before mounting the horse in the paddock) until after they have dismounted and moved out of reach of the horse. About 30% of injuries occur in the paddock, before the start, in the stalls, or after the finish of a race. 

HOCKEY- Common Hockey injuries include Sprains and Strains  because it is a contact sport. Also, Over-Training Syndrome, which is overtraining beyond the body's natural ability to recover from physical activity. The issue with this is that it's easier to sustain other types of injuries, and harder to heal from them. If you feel overly-exhausted after training, it may be necessary to reduce your training sessions. Taking the time to heal now will reduce the likelihood of being out of the game completely  down the road.

Concussion : It is all-too-common injury among hockey players. This is concerning since a concussion is a potentially life-threatening condition. A seven-year study of male and female hockey players found that even mild concussions deemed "clinically insignificant" can result in some level of cognitive impairment.

A  2014 study from The Journal of the Canadian Chropratic Association provides an excellent summary of hockey concussions and related medical issues. Among the key points relating specifically to the NHL  concussion situation.

The NHL is the highest level of hockey in North America and poses the most serious threat for concussions in the sport. 

At least eight NHL players (including Brett Lindros and Pat LaFontaine) were forced to retire early between 1993 and 2003 as a result of persistent concussion symptoms. It is likely that other, unreported incidents increase the number of affected players.

By 2001-2002, the number of concussions had tripled in the NHL from 1986-87. Experts believe risk of concussion increases as players become bigger, faster and stronger. In the NHL,  players have increased weight an average of 10 pounds between 1986 and 2002.

Forwards account for almost two-thirds of all hackey concussions, with just under one-third suffered by defensemen and less than 5 % suffered by goalies.

ICE HOCKEY INJURIES:

Over the last few years, we have become more aware and concerned about athletic injury risks at every level of competition. Studies have shown that youth hockey has a good safety ranking compared to other high school sports, but injuries still happen. We’ve explained the most common hockey injuries we see, along with the recovery times you can expect.

Injury rates and preventative safety measures are being studied for every sport, and our Summit Orthopedics sports medicine experts follow this research closely. With the new information we’ve learned, we have been able to expand our services. In addition to treating sports patients with the most effective therapies available, we are also providing education and training to help athletes avoid preventable injuries. When it comes to hockey, the injuries we treat reflect national statistics about the four most common injuries in the sport.

• Concussion injury is one of today’s hot-button topics in sports medicine, and is the most common injury among hockey players. A player doesn’t have to lose consciousness to suffer a concussion. Symptoms can be subtle, including dizziness, headache, irritability, and difficulty focusing. Young athletes may be more vulnerable to concussions because they have a larger head-to-body ratio and weaker neck muscles. After an injury, the brain needs rest to recover, and children should not resume their sport until they have passed a series of assessments. In the majority of cases, this rest period lasts for about three weeks. Fitted and properly fastened helmets and face masks help reduce risks. Children also benefit from “safe play” coaching and avoiding direct head contact.
• Knee injuries. The second most frequent injury among hockey players is damage to the knee when the medial collateral ligament (MCL) on the inner part of the knee stretches or tears. The good news is that this injury seldom requires surgery, though it is painful. MCL injuries can include damage to growth plates, so it’s important for us to examine younger children to rule out this possibility.
• Shoulder injuries. Players who collide with the boards or fall on the ice can sustain damage to their collarbone or the acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) in the shoulder. Most young athletes will make a full recovery without surgery, but they should be examined and treated by one of our sports medicine physicians to make sure the injury heals properly.
• Ankle injuries. The ankle injuries we see most often are torque injuries resulting from the combination of high speeds and quick direction changes of skaters on the ice. Most of these injuries can be treated nonsurgically, but require the longest healing period of the four injury types.

The most important preventative measures players can take are to wear the appropriate protective equipment and adhere to the game regulations. If, despite precautions, your young hockey player is injured, our sports medicine specialists have the knowledge, expertise, and compassionate dedication to evaluate injuries and develop a treatment plan that will help your son or daughter heal safely before re-entering the rink.

AUTO RACING - is a dangerous sport. As a result of accidents drivers have been seriously injuied and some have died.  Blunt Force Trauma:  This is the medical term for a blunt object hitting the body. Penetrating Trauma: Is the medical term for injuries sustained when a projectile from the crash hits the body.  Spinal Cord Injuries have occurred in these type of high speed crashes. 

There is now a device to prevent head and neck injuries called the head and neck support (HANS) It is designed to reduce movement of the driver's head in a crash and thereby the force on the neck. 

Research on injuries in racing drivers is limited.

To gain more information about such injuries.

Methods: Injuries recorded during and after races between 1996 and 2000 were investigated using the medical charts from the circuit medical centre at Fuji Speedway, which is one of the biggest circuits in Japan. Races were in either single seat/formula cars or saloon cars.

Results: Data were obtained from 39 races in single seat cars (1030 participating cars) and 42 races in saloon cars (1577 cars). Fifty injuries were recorded during the single seat car races, and 62 during the saloon car races (injury rate 1.2 per 1000 competitors per race and 0.9 per 1000 competitors per race respectively). Thirteen injuries were recorded after the race, 12 of them in saloon car racing. Bruises were the major injury in single seat car racing (58%). Lower limb bruising was more common than upper limb bruising. Most of the injuries in saloon car racing (53.2%) were neck sprains. The incidence of concussion was high in both groups compared with other high risk sports.

Conclusions: There were some differences in injuries between the two types of car. No serious injuries occurred except for one death. However, the driver’s body is subjected to large forces in a crash, hence the high incidence of concussion. The injuries recorded after the race emphasise that motor racing is a demanding sport.

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FORMULA 1 CARS 

It is shocking how Formula 1 cars can accelerate so quickly from 0 to 100 mph, but what is more surprising is how they can hit back to Zero in a span of 4 seconds. This is why drivers of the F1 racing go through a lot of training to help them apply brakes abruptly when approaching corners. Remember, F1 racing is a game of both time and speed at the same time.

 The F1 cars are not purchased, they are built with millions of dollars. While the companies don't always mention the exact price, the estimated cost of a vehicle is about $7 million. This estimated cost does not include the cost of essential components. This cost changes every year as the rules over design changes. 

 The brake discs of F1 race cars according to AskMen can reach up to 1,000 degrees centigrade, which is similar to the temperature of molten lava. This feat of brake discs was totally seen as impossible many years ago and what engineers seem to be working on now might be mind-blowing. 

 Many of the F1 racing engineers have concluded that it is impossible to turn the engine of an F1 car when it is cold. This is why these cars are always pre-heated for a while before they are put to use. This is also why many of the vehicles have external heater pumps and a gearbox that is always on par with operating temperatures. 

 F1 Technical has it that a Formula 1 car engine – no matter how sophisticated – cannot last more than five races. These engines are not so conventional and are built to have a very high tolerance level that they work at their best, even though they can for only five races. 

 For individuals who love cars and car racing, F1 racing is one of the best ways to lose weight. Quora records that the unbearable temperature in the cockpit constitutes the main reason why drivers tend to lose up to 4 KGS in a single race. That doesn’t mean someone should join F1 to shed some pounds, however. 

 The drivers are not the only ones who lose weight in a single race, the tires also lose up to 0.5 KGS in a single race. The high driving speed, abrupt brakes, and many other factors are what contribute to the weight loss of the tires. This is why the tires have to be as quality as the car is itself for optimal performance. 

 Considering that many of the injuries and accidents that happen during the race affect the neck and head, the helmet used for F1 is among the toughest in the world. Although very tough, the helmet is still very light. It goes through fragmentation and deformation tests before it can be used. 

 Considering the many risks that are involved in the Formula 1 game, very few women get involved. For the few of them who have gotten involved, they have lacked the skill to compete at the highest level. Lella Lombardi is the most successful female driver who scored a half point in the Spanish GP of 1975 and a standing record to date. 

 With the right conditions in place and according to Mdd-Europe, a Formula 1 car can drive upside down. The aerodynamic downforce of the F1 car is what makes it possible for it to move upside down. While there has been a lot of deliberations as to this, especially with regards to the car fluids, its possibility still remains intact. 

 The steering wheels of an F1 racing car looks just like what is used to fly a plane. These steering wheels advance by the year with the growth in technology and have up to 20 buttons. Each of these buttons has different functions to make the race possible and effective. 

 Every car and driver in Formula 1 is always assigned a number to make it easy to identify. In the history of F1, the number 13 has only be assigned in the 1963 Mexico Grand Prix and the 1976 British Grand Prix. Moisés Solana was the driver at the Mexico Grand Prix. At the same time, Divina Galicia was the driver at the British Grand Prix. Considering that this number was not typical, the racing world was surprised to have someone show up in it. 

 Formula 1 cars do not refuel because they run on the same tank of gas for the entire race. Many of the times when F1 cars stop, it is to have their tires replaced. This is avoided to prevent accidents on any mishap to the driver, crew, and spectators. 

CONCUSSIONS IN AUTO RACING:

Concussions have recently become a major issue in professional sports, but they've been a health issue racers have faced for decades: The potential for head injuries that can debilitate for life.

In the spring of 2002, Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrecked hard during a NASCAR race, with the driver's side of his car slamming the concrete wall at a frighteningly high speed.

He raced again the next week even though, he later confessed, he was hiding definite symptoms of a concussion. And he raced again the next week, and the next, and so on. In retrospect, he shouldn't have, but he did. Such was life as a race-car driver in 2002.

Fifteen years later, Earnhardt's leaving the sport "on my own terms," he says, but he's also leaving after suffering more concussions and after becoming the poster child for NASCAR's upgraded efforts to prevent them.

A little over a year after Earnhardt Jr.'s early crash, in the spring of 2003, a very similar-looking wreck involved a different driver - Jerry Nadeau, who violently slammed the concrete wall during practice laps at Richmond.
Nadeau never raced again and, frankly, was lucky to live through it. In many uncomfortable ways, he has never recovered from that crash. Such is the randomness of head injuries.

If Earnhardt Jr. is celebrated as a pied piper for the advanced focus on concussion prevention, Nadeau survives as a reminder of what can happen in auto racing.

...

The newfound respect for concussions eventually arrived, but first, earlier in this century, deadlier forms of head injuries had to be addressed.

"My world is the prevention world," says John Patalak, the senior director of safety engineering at NASCAR's Research & Development Center in North Carolina.

The R&D Center opened in 2003, a reaction to the racing deaths in 2000 and 2001.

Head-and-neck restraint collars became mandatory after Earnhardt's death and prior to the R&D Center opening. Much of the engineers' earliest work involved help in testing the SAFER Barrier ("soft walls"), seatbelt advances, modernized seat padding, and chassis that were more crash-friendly.

FOOTBALL-,

 When it comes to  football-related head injuries, the headline-grabbers are usually about concussion. However, it's not infrequent that a hard-enough hit to the head can result in both a concussion and a significant injury to the cervical spine, or neck. What's more, it isn't the professional players who are sustaining the majority of neck injuries related to football play. 

 It might seem delicate on the outside, but your neck is one biological powerhouse on the inside. It must be flexible enough for you to turn your head from side to side, but strong enough to support the head, which weighs about 10 pounds. Neck stability occurs through the intricate arrangement of vertebrae in the cervical spine – the seven vertebrae in the neck. Between each vertebra is shock-absorbing cushions called disks, and surrounding the neck are muscles that provide strength and allow for flexibility. 

Football neck injuries are mostly collegiate and youth athletes. When a hard enough hit or fall can result in a fracture or paralysis, it's essential to look at why and how these injuries occur. Then, we must figure out ways to prevent them – or at least reduce the risk. 

 Fractures and injuries to ligaments and joints there are head and neck injuries. Because of the speed of the game, college and professional athletes have experienced concussions. Concussions and TBI - TBI stands for "traumatic brain injury." A concussion is actually a mild form of TBI (MTBI,  though the term "mild" is misleading. The severity of a traumatic brain injury, which may be "mild," "moderate," or "severe," is determined by several medical criteria, including how long the person was unconscious and how long the player experienced post-traumatic amnesia (memory loss) Some brain doctors measure the severity of post - concussion symptoms instead.

Depending on the severity of a brain injury, effects could include chronic pain, chronic fatigue, incontinence, difficulty communicating, difficulty concentrating, and other serious impairments, Moreover, repeated TBI injuries are considered the primary risk factor for developing CTE.

Intracranial Hematomas - The term "intracranial" means inside the skull (cranium). A "hematoma" is an abnormal accumulation of blood outside the walls of a blood vessel. An intracranial hematoma occurs when blood builds up in the space between the brain and the skull.  This exerts pressure on the brain, which can be fatal without emergency intervention. 

Cerebral Contusions - A "contusion" is a bruise, and the "cerebrum" is the largest part of the brain, comprised of the left and right hemispheres. While a bruise on the arm or thigh is seldom cause for concern, a bruise on delicate brain tissue is a medical  emergency. Cerebral contusions, which can result from sports-related head injuries, can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches,  uncontrollable movements, and seizures. Timely reporting of concussions, "having your bell rung," or other blows to head is crucial for all injured players.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are some of the most common traumatic orthopedic injuries among athletes, including basketball players. The ACL, which serves to connect and stabilize the bones of the knee joint, can suffer a sprain or tear. These types of injuries are often caused by sudden stops, incorrect jumping lands, or quick changes of direction during basketball activity.

Heat Stroke in football

Summer football brings grueling workouts in brutal heat. For football players in the dog days, mild heat illness is common and grave heat stroke always a threat (Knochel, 1975). Since 1995, on average three players a year have died of heat stroke. Heat stroke also threatens runners and other athletes; in the 2001 Chicago Marathon, a young man in his first marathon collapsed of heat stroke at 26 miles and died soon after.

Heat illness can advance quickly in football players and runners, and early warning signs of heat stroke can be subtle. Yet early diagnosis and proper therapy can save lives; exertional heat stroke should be preventable. 

Overmotivated athletes can overheat by doing too much too fast or trying to endure too long. An Australian runner, out of shape, sped to the front of a hot race and kept going hard until he dropped from heat stroke at 4.5 miles (Lee et al., 1990). The same happened to a novice runner who, on a mild day, sped up at the end of a six-mile race (Hanson et al., 1979). Both runners were lucky to live; speed and metabolic rate influence rectal temperature in distance racing (Noakes et al., 1991).

Agonizing tableaus of endurance were seen at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and the 1995 Hawaii Ironman Triathlon. In Los Angeles, marathoner Gabriela Andersen- Scheiss, not trained for heat, entered the stadium dazed and wobbling. In a final lap that seemed to last forever, she waved off help and collapsed at the finish. In Hawaii, seven-time winner Paula Newby-Fraser, losing her lead, skipped aid stations late in the run and collapsed near the end. After rest, cooling, and hydration, she was able to walk to the finish (Eichner, 1998).

Similar lessons come from the military. A soldier died of heat stroke marching at night, carrying extra weight. He completed just 2.5 miles (Assia et al., 1985). Running generates about twice the heat of marching. Of 82 heat-stroke cases in Israeli soldiers, 40% were from brief exercise, as in the first three miles of a run. Overmotivation was a risk factor (Epstein et al., 1999).

Football breeds a warrior mentality. Victims of heat stroke are described as "the hardest worker" or "determined to prove himself." During a hard practice on a hot day, the never-quit mentality can work against a player.

The 1-2 Punch.

Most heat-stroke deaths in football occur on Day 1 or 2 of two-a-days. A similar 1-2 punch applies in the military. In studying 1,454 cases of heat illness in Marine-recruit training, researchers implicated heat stress on the prior day as a factor (Kark et al., 1996). So a prime time for heat stroke is the day after an exhausting and dehydrating day in the heat.

DISC WALL TEARS

• As the disc starts to degenerate so fissures develop and coalesce causing the in-growth of vessels and nerves from the rim of the vertebra in to the disc. The breakdown products in some people are extremely painful. These may leak on to adjacent nerves and other structures such as the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament, filled with pain nerve fibres. The result is local back or neck pain and referred pain in to the limb with sometimes a sense of scalding or freezing pins and needles, numbness, sphincter dysfunction and limb weakness. Their presence is often ignored by conventional surgeons.
  • This needs initial treatment with non steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy and core and segmental active stabilisation with Muscle Balance Physiotherapy. Recalcitrant cases can be effectively treated my Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression and Foraminoplasty and or Laser Disc Decompression rather than chronic pain management, Interbody Fusion or Total Disc Replacement.

• As the disc degenerates the disc wall weakenss and thins in places. A sudden increase in internal pressure within the disc causes the soft internal portion of the disc to press upon the weakened areas causing them to bulge (protrusion) or rupture (extrusion) and pieces of disc material may even leave the disc (sequestrate) and settle in the spinal canal space.
  • This needs initial treatment with non steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy and core and segmental active stabilisation with Muscle Balance Physiotherapy. Recalcitrant cases can be effectively treated my Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression and Foraminoplasty and or Laser Disc Decompression rather than chronic pain management, microdiscectomy, open decompression, Interbody Fusion or Total Disc Replacement.

LACROSSE- is played with a long metal stick and a rock solid rubber ball that can cause major damage if enough force is put behind them. The most common injuries are contusions (bruise). Some contusions are very superficial and you can see the discoloration in the skin.  Others are located deep within muscle and soft tissue and can be very painful. Icing and anti-inflammatory medication are the keys to managing contusions.  

Rib Fractures:  Most players like to wear the least amount of padding because they feel they can move easier and quicker, thus increasing their production on the field. Consequently, rib pads are usually the first piece of equipment they leave on the sideline.  Rib pads are not required to play lacrosse, but are highly recommended. A  stick check across an unprotected rib cage is an easy way to fracture or break several ribs. The major concern with a rib fracture is the possibility of puncturing a lung. If you want to stay in the game, wear your rib pads. Other injuries include  Concussions, Wrist fractures, Hip flexor strain, Lower back pain and head/face  contusion.  The United States has an estimated 300,000 female lacrosse players, with half of those participating at the youth level. 

RULES ARE DIFFERENT:

Lacrosse is a unique sport in that the rules for men and women (and boys and girls) are very different. Men’s lacrosse is classified as a contact sport, allowing both body and stick checking (disrupting a player’s movement or knocking the ball away). Male players wear helmets with facemasks, mouth guards, arm, elbow and shoulder pads and gloves to protect them during the game.

Women’s lacrosse is technically a non-contact sport, though controlled stick checking is allowed. Women do not wear helmets, but are required to wear eye protection and mouth guards.

IMPACT INJURY/ COMOMOTIO CORDIS

Overall, 23 lacrosse players in the United States have had the sport trigger sudden death or cardiac arrest since 1980. Four have survived the experience; the other 19 died. The likely cause in Boiardi's case, say researchers, was commotio cordis -- a condition in which an impact of blunt force arriving within a specific range of 15 thousandths of a second in the heart's beating cycle sends an electrical impulse to the heart, stopping it.

The researchers stress, however, that cardiac arrest remains rare in lacrosse.

"The message is that there are risks associated with sports in young people, but it does not appear that lacrosse, which is the fastest growing youth sport in America, is associated with excessive risk compared to other sports," said Dr. Barry Maron of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, the study's lead author.

The study appears in the most recent issue of Pediatrics.

While a slim majority of the deaths outlined in the study were from underlying heart conditions, commotio cordis -- which struck 10 times -- has drawn much of the attention, because death is likely preventable in many cases.

Twice in 2008 -- both at the high school level -- players blocked shots and suffered commotio cordis but were able to survive.

"When there were two episodes of commotio cordis on the field a year, a year and a half ago ... because these coaches recognized that this was a potential devastating injury ... they called for a defibrillator and both kids survived," said Dr. Jeff Mandak, a cardiologist in Harrisburg, Pa., and a member of U.S. Lacrosse's safety board.

Mandak said that sudden death may never be fully preventable in lacrosse but that U.S. Lacrosse -- the sport's governing body -- has gone far to address the issue. A recreational lacrosse player himself, Mandak said he was invited to the safety board in 2000 by Steve Stenersen, president and CEO of U.S. Lacrosse, because of concerns about commotio cordis. U.S. Lacrosse organized a conference on the issue in 2007.

Of course, one of the main measures to avoid death by commotio cordis is to prevent it from occurring in the first place -- a function that is not served by available chest protectors.

Moran praised U.S. Lacrosse's safety efforts in that respect.

"U.S. Lacrosse has made a large effort to support the design of an effective chest protector," he said. "Lacrosse, in that respect, is unique among national sports organizations. They've promoted this idea and supported ongoing research to create such a chest protector. They've done that on their own volition. They should be congratulated on their efforts to make their sport even safer than it is."

There are several problems with existing chest protectors used in lacrosse. In two of the six cases of commotio cordis in the study that resulted in death (and four of the 10 cases overall), players were goalies wearing chest protectors.

"They never were developed to prevent internal organ injuries," Mandak said. "Now, we're looking at ways to develop that."

In addition to improper padding for internal organ injuries, chest protectors will shift when a player moves.

Stenersen said that following Boiardi's death in 2004, there was an increased push for all players -- not just goalies -- to wear chest protectors.

"It was not a panacea," he said. "The issue right now is that there is no chest protection in any sport that has been proven to eliminate commotio cordis."

In addition to U.S. Lacrosse's efforts to improve safety by getting better chest protectors and making coaches aware that they need automated external defibrillators on the fields, Dr. Margot Putukian, chair of U.S. Lacrosse's safety board and the director of athletic medicine at Princeton University, said that some changes in coaching might help as well.

In lacrosse and hockey, where commotio cordis has also been known to occur, players will often block shots by putting themselves between the ball or puck and the net. While often done at the professional level, it can be a difficult technique to master and often can lead to injury.

"To me, it just seems like there are issues there in terms of coaching," she said. "Kids need to know that they shouldn't do shot blocking in hockey when they're young. In lacrosse, it's the same thing."

"Obviously, the safety of the sport is a primary concern for anyone managing the sport's development and growth," Stenersen of U.S. Lacrosse said. "[Commotio cordis] is a primary concern."

But while the shocking and highly publicized results of commotio cordis may get a lot of attention, it is not the most common lacrosse injury or the most widespread problem.

Lacrosse is the fastest-growing high school sport in the nation, with roughly 144,000 participants in the 2007-08 school year, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

But that kind of growth can present its own problems. When a sport grows quickly, many new coaches may not have adequate training -- a situation some worry may lead to injuries.

WESTLING-  Is known for the high level of contact involved between participants, which can cause injury.  Wrestling competitively is grounded in learning the proper techniques and skills needed to take on an opponent. Learning the proper way to execute wrestling moves is one of the best ways to avoid injury, but  acute injuries (those that occur suddenly) do happen. 

Wrestlers are prone to acute injuries that affect the knee, shoulder, skin, head and face. The most common wrestling injuries are muscle strains, ligament injuries like sprains, or tears, and bruises. Conditions that occur as a result of overuse, or repetitive strikes or force can also occur, like instability and bursitis.

A common wrestling condition, cauliflower ear is caused by severe bruising to the structures of the ear from  friction with the mat or another body part.  Concussions can occur from hard contact with the mat, floor, or other wrestler. Repetitively striking the mat can cause  sharp pain and swelling at the knee. The twisting of the knee during wrestling can also result in ligament injuries.

Prepatella Bursitis
Prepatella bursitis is the inflammation of the sac (bursa) located in front of the kneecap (patella). For wrestlers, this area is constantly hit into the mat, often causing sharp pain and sometimes swelling. Once prepatella bursitis has developed, it is treated by anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or Asprin, ice, and rest. Knee pads are designed specifically for this condition and can be used to try and prevent the condition, or to diminish the impact to the front of the knee once it has developed.

Ligament Injuries
Knee ligament injuries can also occur during wrestling, most commonly to the inside (Medial Collateral Ligament – MCL) or outside (Lateral Collateral Ligament- LCL) of the knee. These injuries are often the result of the leg twisting outward from the midline of the body. First-degree sprains can be treated with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and the athlete can return when the pain subsides. Second and third degree sprains need to be treated by a physician, but they rarely need surgical intervention. Maintaining strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings, as well as flexibility through the lower extremities, can help prevent injury.

Skin Infections
With deadly infections such as MRSA developing in schools across the country, infection prevention is critical. Epidemics of skin infections have been known to spread quickly from team member to team member with the three most common infections in wrestlers being herpes simplex, ringworm, and impetigo. With so much skin-to-skin contact, it is especially important to minimize risk by:

• Taking routine and thorough showers both before and after practice and matches
• Wearing clean clothing at each practice session
• Sanitizing mats with antiseptic solution after each practice

If an infection does develop, a doctor should treat it promptly with antibiotics or antibiotic creams. Wrestlers may continue to drill or participate in conditioning workouts, but should avoid bodily contact with other team members until the infection is completely resolved.

Proper control of diet, preferably with the advice of the coach and a dietician, is the preferred method of "making weight." If a wrestler maintains his weight near his weight class limits, it is then a simple matter to lose two-to-four pounds to "make weight." Nutritional advice should emphasize daily caloric requirements associated with a balanced diet based on age, body size, growth, and physical activity level.

Recently, most wrestling associations have adopted regulations to ensure control of body weight by establishing wrestling minimum weight certification programs. In these programs, each wrestler must weigh in during the first two weeks of the season. The athlete's minimum weight is not established as the athlete's best weight, but rather as no less than seven percent of his/her initial weigh-in.

An injury, no matter how trivial, should be treated as soon as possible. A small cut or scrape may not be of much consequence in hockey, football, or track athletes, but for a wrestler, even a minor infection can keep him out of a match. Any injury should be reported to the coach, trainer, or personal physician as soon as possible, so that proper care can be started. Rehabilitation after an injury is an important part of preventing further injury, since a large number of all injuries result from aggravation of an old injury.

Injury prevention should be a primary goal of all participants, coaches, and trainers. This requires using good-quality equipment, including mats, uniforms, headgear, and pads. The wrestler should be coached and supervised at all times, stressing proper technique and discipline to avoid injury. Proper officiating can also prevent injuries. Finally, a well-structured strengthening program conducted under proper supervision can help prevent injury and enhance the athlete's performance.

Playing by the rules, and using proper protective equipment is critical to preventing wrestling injuries. In addition to contact-related injuries, players also need to guard against injuries that can occur as a result of poor conditioning, or being unprepared for the level of activity.

Other ways to avoid injury include:

• The risk of wrestling injury goes down when wrestlers are properly matched in age, experience, weight, and gender.
• Wearing protective headgear decreases the risk of cauliflower ear and concussion.
• Mouth guards can prevent severe tongue and tooth injuries.
• Pre-patella bursitis can be prevented or minimized through the use of kneepads.
• Strengthening and flexibility exercises for the muscles of the lower extremity, in particular the quadriceps and hamstrings muscle groups
• To minimize risk of skin infection the athlete should:
• Take routine and thorough showers before and after practice and matches.
• Wear clean clothing at each practice session and match.
• Sanitize mats with antiseptic solution after each practice.
• Properly control weight and diet so the athlete is able to maintain body weight within two to four pounds of the wrestler’s weight class.
• Balanced diet should be based upon the athlete’s age, body size, growth phase, and physical activity so to minimize the risk of injury or illness.
• Weight certifications have been adopted by many wrestling organizations that require the wrestler to weigh in during the first two weeks of a season. The minimum weight a wrestler can then go down is seven percent of this initial weigh in weight.

• Did you know that wrestling in one of the oldest known sports?
• Did you know that wrestling offers levels of competition that includes the Olympics, the American Athletic Union (AAU), the US Wrestling Federation, in addition to high school and college tournaments?

• Shoulder instability
• Shoulder strain or sprain
• Prepatellar bursitis
• Knee sprain
• Medial collateral ligament (MCL) knee sprain
• Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) knee sprain 

SWIMMING/ DIVING-  Swimmers are well versed in early morning practices, team workouts, and living healthy lifestyle. What many may not know is that swimming with poor stroke  mechanics or decreased flexibility and strength may cause an overuse injury.

By taking part in a strength training and stretching program, young swimmers can help improve their muscular and cardiovascular endurance, leading to better and more consistent stroke mechanics.

Neck and shoulder injuries are among the most common injuries that swimmers face. Neck and shoulder injuries from swimming include: Irritation and inflammation in the shoulders.  Rotator  cuff tendonitis or tears.  Shoulder impingement syndrome, which is a result of pressure on the rotator cuff muscles from part of the shoulder blade when the arm is lifted overhead. Tears in the cartilage around the shoulder socket. Also, neck and low back pain. Swimmers also have problems with Bicep tendonitis. Swimmers might also experience knee injuries. Stress on the knees can result in pain under or around the kneecap or at the inside of the knee.   

At what height is it dangerous to jump into the water? Although risky, competitive high divers can enter the water from as high as 27 meters without injury, states Swim England. From this height, divers can reach speeds up to 60 miles per hour. However, serious injury is possible, even when jumping from much lower platforms. From a 10-meter platform, divers still hit the water at speeds of 36.6 miles per hour, according to an article published in the September/October 2017 issue of Current Sports Medicine Reports.

These speeds cause divers to hit the water with incredible force. While water may offer a softer landing than the hard ground, it still exerts a tremendous amount of force on divers' bodies, slowing their speeds by more than 50 percent in only a fraction of a second.

With proper form, the body can absorb the pressure from the impact. High divers typically enter feet first, allowing the feet and legs to absorb the impact. Many other divers enter with the hands and arms extended to protect the head and neck from impact. Even with correct form when entering the water, divers may experience overuse injuries in the joints, especially the wrist and shoulder.

Jumping from a diving board into a pool is relatively safe as you know that water is deep enough and free from hazards. However, jumping into other bodies of water is much riskier. A back injury may result from jumping into shallow water from a cliff. Before cliff jumping, remember that the water level in lakes and rivers may vary based on rainfall and snowmelt, and depth in the ocean may change with the tide.

Additionally, there may be unseen dangers under the water such as big rocks, tree roots and other debris, advises the U.S. Forest Service. Once you enter the water, you may face additional dangers. For example, the current in a river or waterfall may drag you downstream. In the ocean, you risk being caught in a rip current or being hit by a large wave.

Read more::How to Increase Swimming Stamina

Lifeguards are rarely present at parks or other locations where you may go cliff diving. Be sure you and your companions are strong swimmers and able to provide first aid should injury occur.

Some common injuries from diving include overuse injuries to the shoulder, wrist and elbow, neck injuries from entering the water with poor form and lower back pain from the repeated impact with the water, advises the Current Sports Medicine Reports article. These injuries may also be the result of trauma from impact with a water hazard.

Jumping into the water from heights, especially if you dive hands first, also puts you at risk for a concussion, especially if you do not enter the water at the correct angle. Hitting the water at the wrong angle may also damage the membranes of your ears, the corneas in your eyes or the vestibular system that helps you maintain your balance.

Water in My Lungs From Swimming

TRACK & FIELD- Overuse :  The most common injury that occurs in track are shin splints and knee injuries. Some of the most common injuries for runners are: Runner's Knee: This is more common in female athletes than males.

Elbow: Similar to rotator cuff injuries and other shoulder injuries, track and field athletes whose event focuses on throwing may experience elbow injuries such as flexor tendinitis, UCL  injuries, or tennis elbow. Hip; Many runners  develop hip pain due to tendinitis and hip flexor strain.

Common injuries among professional and student track and field athletes include Spine fractures are concerningly common in pole vaulters. Often due to poor landing  technique.  Spine fractures can lead to permanent mobility issues and back pain.

Many runners develop hip pain due to tendinitis and hip flexor strains caused by the repeated leg motions in running. Ankle Fractures-are common in long jump, pole vaulting and running. They are often caused by improper landing technique or a loss of balance.

Runners Heal Pain

The problem with heel pain or arch pain is that there is no way of avoiding it in daily life. If your foot hurts, every step hurts, and that does not even include how much it hurts to run. Even if you can keep running through plantar fasciitis, is it going to make it worse?

If you have experienced this, you know you will do anything for plantar fasciitis pain relief.

An irritation to the tough, fibrous tissue at the base of the heel, is one of the most bothersome running injuries due to its infamous stubborn nature.

Runners with plantar fasciitis can sometimes have heel pain for months or even years before the fascia finally heals. It can be especially difficult to find shoes for plantar fasciitis that make it feel better, rather than worse.

Because of this, it is very important to catch and treat plantar fasciitis quickly.

Fortunately, if you take care of it, most cases do calm down in a matter of weeks and you will be able to keep running through plantar fasciitis.

Today we are going to help you figure out whether you can run through it or if you should stop running, what causes plantar fasciitis and what you can do to prevent it in future. Most importantly, we are going to give you the best exercises for plantar fasciitis and an effective plan of treatment for plantar fasciitis.

The plantar fascia is a thick band of fibers that runs from the base of the heel to the metatarsal heads.

It has several branches, any of which may become injured, but by far the most common area of the plantar fascia that’s hurt is the very base of the innermost bundle of fibers, right at the base of the heel.

Plantar fasciitis will hurt the worst at the beginning of a run, but will gradually go away once you get warmed up.

It may return again at the end of the run, and will be more severe in less-supportive shoes or when barefoot.

Your arch or heel may also hurt after a long day on your feet, especially in hard or uncomfortable shoes.

Here’s the way you know you have plantar fasciitis:

The telltale sign involves your “first step pain”.

Do you have a sharp, stabbing pain at the base of the heel immediately after you get out of bed in the morning?

SPEED SKATING - is a fast and entertaining cousin of long track speed  skating. Long tracks are 400 meters long. Injuries can happen, both on the ice as well as during dry-land training. The most commonacute injuries in this sport are dislocated shoulders, pulled muscles and direct blows to muscles, contusions, Cuts to the hands and forearms from the skate itself can also occur. Skaters are also susceptible to overuse injury, particularly to the back, groin and knees, because of repetitive training.  Common injuries include back pain, groin pain, patellofemoral pain syndrome, Achilles tendinopathy. Also, Medial tibial stress syndrome, shoulder dislocation and concussion. 

Cervical spinal injuries including fractures and sprains also associated with collision pad or  board.  The intense weight and pressure placed upon the ankles during skating activity makes them susceptible to sprains and fractures. Ankle skating injuries caused by stress may include damage to the peroneal and tibialis anterior muscles. 

VOLLEYBALL-  Foot and ankle injuries in volleyball can happen due to the quick changes in direction of the lower extremities coupled with the close contact at the net in indoor volleyball.

If a volleyball player lands awkwardly after jumping, they might hear a pop and notice their knee swelling suddenly. This can indicate a tear of the ACL  or Anterior Cruciate Ligament. ACL tears do not heal on their own and reconstruction should be strongly considered if an athlete plans to return to play. Recovery time can last six months or longer. During that time, proper training techniques can help decrease the risk of reinjury.

Although the most widespread type of volleyball injury overall is ankle sprains, beach volleyball in particular has its own set of unique concerns. In addition to issues caused by foreign bodies in the sand (such as lacerations to the foot and toes caused by shells or glass).

Sand toe occurs when the top of the first metatarsi-phalangeal joint (the joint that connects your big toe to your foot) is hyperflexed. This can happen when the foot hits the ground or is dragged forward.

Inversion Ankle Sprains: An inversion ankle sprain occurs when the foot turns inward or outward at an eccentric angle. Most often, ankle injuries occur due to plantaflexion and inversion. The foot points downward and inward, causing damage to the lateral ligaments. In some cases, an  ankle brace may be beneficial to stabilize the affected area.

Here again, supervised rehabilitation, as well as the old standby of RICE - rest, ice, compression and elevation, are vital to recovery. Once an ankle is sprained, recurrent sprains are common. 

Achilles Tendinopathy: The Achilles tendon is what connects your heel bone to your calf muscle. Repeated tiny injuries over time, which include overuse, can cause this tendon to become inflamed and irritated.  Fortunately, ice and rest, as well as special rehabilitative exercises to help strengthen and stretch the tendon, are generally enough to alleviate the symptoms of Achilles tendinitis.

Back Injuries: Most back injuries in volleyball are centered around the lower back and are caused by muscle or ligament strain. Because players often lean forward with their arms held in front of their body this places excessive strain on the lower back.

Repetitive hyperextension when hitting, serving or back setting can cause an increased risk of back pain or possibly spondylolysis. A quality back brace, along with rest and stretching exercises, can help alleviate much of this type of pain. Spondylolysis, a kind of stress fracture in the low back, can occur as a result of hyperextension when hitting the ball. Repetitive spiking and serving, as well as jump serving can increase the risk of this condition if proper rest, recovery and mechanics are not followed. 

GOLF/TENNIS-Golf injuries include Back pain and Rotator Cuff injury. Avid golfers can end up messing up their rotator cuff.  To prevent rotator cuff injury, practice correct form as well as engage in regular strength training and stretching the muscles of the shoulders, back, and abs.If you have suffered a rotator cuff injury the athlete needs (RICE method) Rest, ice, compression, and elevation.  Follow up with exercises designed to strengthen shoulder and the back.

Rotator cuff injuries are common among golfers in the middle ages and older. Senior golfers over the age of 50 are more prone to this injury. Your rotator cuff muscles are always working throughout the swing. So, when you swing repeatedly for an extended period or over many days without giving your shoulders much time to rest, Rotator Cuff injuries might just be at your door, When  this injury gets really bad, the golfer would not even be able to lift their shoulder.

You may have partial rotator cuff tears and feel you can play through it. This is going to be a painful experience. Apart from the pain, you would feel some tenderness, a grinding sensation, or stiffness on the front part of your shoulder. 

Impingement syndrome: This condition is linked to rotator cuff tendonitis and is where the rotator cuff tendons become trapped.  It is indicated by pain when trying to raise the arms above the head. 

Rest and anti-inflammatories will ease discomfort and a physiotherapist can  help provide stretches and strengthening exercise.  

 Tennis Elbow and golf elbow. Tendinitis in the elbow is commonly referred to in sports terms.

Golf and tennis elbow - are repetitive  use injuries that occur over time. The pain is usually so mild in the beginning that players often ignore it, only to have it eventually become severe enough they can no longer play. While tennis elbow technically refers to pain and inflammation in the outer tendon and golf elbow to the inner tendon. Many golfers get tennis elbow., and vice versa.

Hand injuries are also common among golfers. It occurs from repetitive motions from swings. Some common conditions in this category are single server trauma and repetitive blunt trauma.  

Treating tendinitis is usually fairly simple, although you might have to grit your teeth and put the clubs away while you allow your body to heal.  The goals are to reduce inflammation, gently strengthen the  muscles and tendons, and correct your swing technique so you don't do this to yourself again.

Tennis players also suffer stress  fractures  in the Back. Because tennis serves 

require a combination of hyperextension. 

Tennis player suffer from "Patellar Tendonitis (aka Jumper's  Knee) The patellar tendon attaches the kneecap to the shinbone.

"Sprained Ankles" The fast paced nature of tennis involves a lot of rapid direction change, which can put a lot of strain on the ankles and often leads to falling, often with awkward landings which result in sprains. A sprain can be mild serious or severe depending on the degree of damage to the ligaments. 

HAND & WRIST INJURIES

Hand, wrist and elbow injuries are common for golfers of all skill levels. The golf swing is a complex, coordinated series of motions. Golf injuries can result from poor technique, overuse or a single direct blow, like hitting a tree root.

There are many different ways to reduce the chances of an injury while golfing:

• Proper warm up and stretching is important.
• Gradually increasing the length and intensity of play as the season progresses can help avoid overuse injuries.
• Conditioning and core muscle strengthening can improve swing mechanics.
• Instruction with a teaching professional will refine your technique and increase your enjoyment of the game injury free.

Golf injuries can include tendonitis, sprains or fractures (broken bones).

• Sprains or ligament injuriesto the wrist most often involve pain and popping in the wrist.
• Wrist tendonitistypically occurs in the leading hand (left hand for a right handed player).
• Medial Epicondylitis, also known as “golfer’s elbow,” is a painful tendonitis on the inner aspect of the elbow, where the muscles that bend the wrist and fingers attach (Figure 1). Tendonitis on the outer aspect of the elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is more common.
• Hamate bone fracturesoccur when the club strikes the ground, forcing the handle against the bony hook (Figures 2, 3 and 4). The hook part of the bone can break, causing pain in the heel of the hand.
• Damaged blood vesselscan happen from the club handle repeatedly striking the palm. Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome describes an injury to one of the main arteries to the hand, where repeated blows weaken the vessel wall causing it to enlarge and sometimes to clot. This can cause local pain in the palm or disrupt blood flow going to the fingertips, producing pain, numbness and color changes in the fingertips.

These injuries may arise by the repeated stress of practicing the golf swing or by similar gripping activities such as hammering and heavy lifting.

CHEERLEADING- be the most dangerous sport played among high school and college age studeYou may think that cheerleaders only clap on the sideline, so what could they possibly be in danger from? It's actually the many stunts they perform that put cheerleaders in danger. They can also be seriously injuried by a running player. Cheerleading can be easily be one of the most dangerous sports. 

In the world of competitive cheerleading, the sport poses many risks. This includes the risk of concussion and other catastrophic injuries from performing flips and being tossed into the air.

Another risk factor is that many cheerleaders try to progress to newer techniques and routines before they're ready, resulting in injuries. Injuries also occur due to improper training on cheerleading techniques, which many cheerleaders don't learn at a young enough age, or they may not have access to well-trained instructors. Not having enough spotters for complicated stunts can also lead to serious injuries.

From the year 1982 to 2009, cheerleading  accounted for 65% of all serious injuries to high school female athletes.  Also, the number rose to 70 percent for college female athletes 

Apart from the Catastrophic injuries, cheerleading also  have r of the cheerleading injuries reported concussions. In a 11 year study of prospective multiple sports study taking 25 high schools, it was found that about 5% reported concussions. Common injuries that occur in competitive cheerleading include:  Muscle strains in the hip, lower back, and legs. Ligament sprains in the knees and ankles, fingers and hand injuries.

MOST INJURIES:

 Still, cheerleading causes the most injuries out of any of the sports studied, as well as the most hospital visits. It does not have many fatalities, though — only seven in 19 years, according to a separate 2011 report from the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research. Female swimming and female track were also responsible for seven indirect deaths. 

CURB  INJURIES:

In an attempt to curb the amount of catastrophic injuries in cheerleading, restrictions have been placed on stunts. They range from height restrictions in human pyramids, to the thrower- yer ratio, to the number of spotters that must be present for each person lifted above shoulder level.

For example, the limit for pyramids is two body lengths for the high school level and 2.5 body lengths for the college level, with the base cheerleader in direct contact with the performing surface. Base supporters must remain stationary and the suspended person is not allowed to be inverted or rotate on dismount.

Basket toss stunts in which a cheerleader is thrown into the air (sometimes as high as 20 feet) are only allowed to have four throwers. The person being tossed ( yer) is not allowed to drop the head below a horizontal plane with the torso. One of the throwers must remain behind the yer at all times during the toss.

Mats should be used during practice sessions and as much as possible during competitions. Cheerleaders should not attempt a stunt if they are tired, injured, or ill, as this may disrupt their focus and cause the stunt to be performed in an unsafe manner.

WATER POLO- While water polo may seem like a summer sport, there is heavy competition during the Fall, with the men's NCAA championships taking place in December each year. Given the  physical nature of the sport and limited protective equipment, it's important to be aware of the many different acute injuries that put water polo players at risk.

Acute injuries are often  the result of contact with an opposing player, with the head and upper extremities  being the most common areas injured. Water polo players are also at risk for many different overuse injuries given that the  sport is played in water, which provides unique biomechanical challenges to the body, especially the upper extremities and knees. The hand and fingers are vulnerable areas for acute injury, either when opposing players strike the area as they try to steal the ball, or when players attempt to block shots. This can lead to dislocations or fractures of the hand or fingers. Finger dislocations can often be reduced immediately at poolside, and if no associated fracture is present, can be treated with buddy-taping or splinting. Eye injuries are also common, ranging in severity from irritation to lacerations/abrasions and fractures. An abrasion to the can also occur from getting poked in the eye. This can be treated with topical antibiotic drops and rest until the area heals, typically within a period of a few days. Lastly, water polo players are also at risk of a ruptured  eardrum if the ear is struck. This typically heals on its own with time, but given the possible damage to the inner ear from water, the athlete will often have to remain out of the pool until healing occurs. Shoulder injuries occur during acceleration and deceleration. This is the phase where the power and force are required to pass the ball or to make a goal.

FENCING -  For all of the intellectual rigor that goes along with fencing,  there's certainly an element of physical rigor that goes along with this sport as well.

Through we strongly believe that fencing is one of the safest sports out there (and there's plenty of research to back that  up), we also recognize that every sport has its share of common injuries. That's because, even though fencing is truly a full body sport, you're still using some the same parts of the body over and over again as you move and train. Those parts of the body are naturally going to be more prone to injury.

Though it seems intuitive to many people who are new to fencing, in truth pokes and stab wounds are just not common injuries in fencing. Even if fencers are playing around or training for fun, it's just not a real concern. These are not sharp weapons, and early on in training we learn to resect their power for what they are. Also fencing weapons are both dull and flexible. Upon a touch they will bend and through that they will absorb the energy of the hit. In addition there are a lot of layers of the protective clothing that fencers are wearing constantly and those layers take a significant amount of the impact into them So while during the bout some bruises might happen, we learn about most of them only after fact in the changing rooms. Rarely, a hit can be more painful that will require an icing., but usually fencers don't even notice them in the heat of the bout . The bottom line- the weapons aren't the issue when it comes to common fencing injuries.

Fingers, front leg and hands tend to get hit the most. It's common for fencers to deal with bruises on the knuckles, hand, and wrists , no matter what the weapon. The hand that is not holding the weapon gets least bruises as it is farther from the opponent. So not having a glove is ok. Most of the time when the non armed hand is bruised it's with a beginner fencer who might guard their chest with the non-weapon arm out of instinct. With more advanced fencers this rarely happens, if at all, One thing that surprises  many fencers is when a weapon hits on a pressure point on the hand or elbow. It can cause the whole lower arm to go numb and you might even drop your weapon! This is common in fencing and isn't anything to really worry about. A little tingling and then the feeling comes right back. The best way to prevent fencing bruises is to practice! The better you get, the better you'll defend and the fewer bruises you'll find yourself getting. You will also cause much less bruisers to your opponents as your point and power control becomes to be much better. Beginner fencers tend to cause more and get more bruises than experience fencers.    

CROSS COUNTRY-The common injuries include Stress Fractures. Stress fractures are confusing to many Cross Country runners and doctors because the athlete will often say it does not hurt when they run.Bone Mar row Edema: Bone marrow edema is swelling inside the cavity of the bone that creates pressure and pain within the bone. It is a condition that results from excessive and/or repetitive stress to bone. It is often seen among distance runners and should be considered a "pre-stress" fracture.

Heat Stroke:

A former member of the Saint Xavier cross country team is suing the high school, claiming it was negligent in a practice last summer that resulted in his hospitalization.

The lawsuit says Cooper Marchal suffered a heat stroke resulting from a July 22, 2017, team practice at Iroquois Park. He lost consciousness and was hospitalized, where he was put in a medically-induced coma, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday in Jefferson Circuit Court.

Marchal graduated from St. X this year, according to the school’s website, and is at least 18 years old, according to his attorney Nina Couch of Taylor Couch PLLC in Louisville.

The lawsuit says the school “failed to adequately supervise, screen, test, monitor, and treat the student runners for heat-related injuries and illness” and “was negligent in hiring, training, educating, and supervising its coaches and coaching staff.”

Claims made in a lawsuit only represent one side of the case. Officials from St. X did not immediately return a request for comment from the Courier Journal.

That morning’s practice included a 12-mile run, according to the lawsuit, which said Louisville was under a heat advisory at the time and the heat index the previous day had been 107 degrees.

The lawsuit says the school is responsible for the negligence of employees Charles Medley, cross country head coach, and Andrew Meirose, assistant head coach. The two coaches are not named as defendants. Medley declined to comment.

On May 19, Marchal finished fifth in the 3200-meter run at the Class 3A state track and field meet.

The lawsuit asks for compensation for past and future medical costs, pain and suffering, emotional and mental distress, lost wages, future earnings and “loss of enjoyment of life.”

“The lawsuit involves allegations of carelessness on the part of St. X in having its student-athletes run 12 miles during a cross-country practice on one of the hottest days of last year without taking adequate precautions,” Marchal’s law firm said in a written statement. “Cooper wants what happened to him to never happen to another student-athlete and looks forward to his day in court.”

For more, visit the Courier Journal

BICYCLING RACING - Cycling is a popular transportation for many people. around 4 million young adults cycle every year.

Not only do many people like to cycle, but they enjoy watching it as well. July is the start of the Tour de France which 

Common cycling injuries include lower back pain; When cycling, you are in the same position for an extended period of time and leaning over can put a lot of pressure on your spine causing discomfort "Sacroiliac " joint pain is a common cause of back pain in "cyclists", prolonged sitting and pushing on the pedals can cause the sacroiliac joint to twist, which can be a cause of sharp back pain."

"Knee pain" It's the most common type of overuse injury in cycling because often times cyclists don't have their fit on the bike optimized. A saddle that is too low can place more pressure on the front of the knee (under the patella or knee cap) causing pain. Wrist and hand pain: With an improper fit on your bike, excess force can be placed on the wrists. On longer ride, this can result in numbness in the ring and smaller fingers. It's sometimes known as "handlebar palsy" and it occurs when there is compression of the ulnar nerve which runs from your wrist to your little finger and ring finger. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also be made worse with pressure on the handlebars by long compression on the median nerve that runs through the wrist and palm. "Neck pain"- Develops when the muscles in the neck become fatigued by looking up for a long period of time. The muscles get too tired from carrying the weight of the head in the same position for a long period of time.

Acute injuries may include sprains, broken bones from  falls and ligament tears.

Head Injuries: It's important to always wear a helmet while cycling. If you do get into a crash you may suffer from a concussion from hitting your head on the ground even with a helmet on. "Broken ribs" Rib fractures are common when you fall on your side. "They  may be quite painful but typically heal on their own. Sometimes rib fractures can puncture a  lung, if you have a crash with any difficult breathing, call an ambulance and be evaluated immediately.

MOTORCYCLE RACING- Injuries are extremely common in motorcycle accidents, even at low speed.  Common injuries include, Head Injuries: A traumatic brain injury (TBI) from an impact to the head during a motorcycle accident may have long lasting side effects. This includes seizures, difficult thinking, sleep apnea, and a wide range of other issues depending on what part of the brain was damaged . Road Rash: is an injury sustained when a rider slides sideways across the pavement following a wipeout or when they fly over the handlebars following impact. Broken Bones: Broken bones are very common during motorcycle crashes. Severe road rash, for example, may scrape away some layers of muscle during a post-crash slide  Spinal Cord Injuries: Are also common in motorcycle accidents. Depending on the severity of the impact and where it occured , a spinal injury may cause numbness below the injury site, or may result in complete paralysis in one or more regions of the body.

Dirt Bike Injuries 

Over half of all dirt bike injuries that necessitate hospitalization occur during official races, although only a small percentage of motorcycles are used for racing.

Supercross and Motocross are more likely to result in injury than trail riding. Other interesting statistics include:

• Over 60% of deaths resulted from not using helmets (Source)
• Alcohol use is a factor in nearly 50% of fatalities (Source)
• ATV-linked deaths between 2006 to 2012 have reduced by 30% while the trend from 2012 to 2017 has remained on a constant low (Source)
• Victims of four-wheeler ATV accidents were 50% more likely to succumb to their injuries than those on dirt bike crashes (Source)
• 90.5% of deaths caused by ATV-riding occur in males (Source)
• 65% of bone fractures linked to dirt bike riding are below the waist (Source)
• Traumatic brain injury resulting from ATV riding was caused by contact with stationary things like trees in 27% of the cases. (Source)
• 1/5 of ATV-caused fatalities occur to children under 16 years old. An additional study concluded the number to be closer to 35% (Source)
• Most ATV-deaths happen on paved roads (33%) and paved roads (19%). Only 15% of the deaths take place in the forest or desert (Source)