“Sports injuries” are injuries that happen when playing sports or exercising.  Some are from accidents.  Others can result from poor training practices or improper gear.  Some people get injured when they are not in proper condition.  Not warming up or stretching enough before you play, or exercise can also lead to injuries.

The most common sports injuries are:

• Sprains and strains, Knee injuries, Swollen muscles, Achilles’ tendon injuries
• Pain along the shin bone
• Fractures
• Dislocations

There are two kinds of sports injuries:  acute and chronic. Acute injuries occur suddenly when playing or exercising.  Sprained ankles, strained backs, and fractured hands are acute injuries.

Signs of an acute injury include:

• Sudden, severe pain.
• Swelling.
• Not being able to place weight on a leg, knee, ankle, or foot.
• An arm, elbow, wrist, hand, or finger that is very tender.
• Not being able to move a joint as normal.
• Extreme leg or arm weakness.
• A bone or joint that is visibly out of place.

Chronic injuries happen after you play a sport or exercise for a long time.

Signs of a chronic injury include:

• Pain when you play.
• Pain when you exercise.
• A dull ache when you rest.
• Swelling.

These tips can help you avoid sports injures:

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