Fall is coming around the corner which means that fall sports are about to start sooner than we think. From football to cross-country running, cheerleading, and volleyball, there is plenty to look forward to this season. While fall sports bring plenty of excitement and fun for the family, they can also involve a variety of injuries that can come from these activities.
Let’s take a look at some common fall sports injuries that can be a result of participating in fall sports and how physical therapy can help you with injury recovery and reduce the likelihood of future fall sports injuries.
Sports injuries during the fall season are common among young athletes, with an estimated sixty-two percent of injuries typically occurring during practice.
A sprain is an injury that occurs when a ligament, a structure that attaches to bones together, is overstretched, or in some instances tears. When injured, you may experience symptoms that may include discoloration around the area, stiffness and swelling. Participating in sports that involve quick or sudden changes of movement means that you also may be at a higher risk of experiencing a sprain at some point.
A strain is an injury that causes a muscle to tear or stretch beyond its normal limits. This can typically happen when the muscle is being overused without a proper warm-up session or adequate amounts of rest, especially when participating in a high-intensity activity. A strain may look like muscle discomfort, discoloration and bruising on the skin, and swelling at the affected area. Similar to a sprain, strains can occur when an athlete or individual participates in sports that require explosive and repetitive movements that weigh heavily on the body without adequate rest or warm-up.
Concussions are a very common and serious form of injury that athletes can experience, especially when participating in fall sports like football and cross country. A concussion is an injury that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. These injuries can happen for many reasons and commonly occurs from a collision between players on the field or even due to a fall. Signs or symptoms of a concussion can range from dizziness and balance problems to loss of consciousness. Athletes participating in fall sports may be at risk of concussions because of their physical intensity.
Knee injuries are another example of a common injury that athletes may experience when participating in fall sports. There are a variety of knee injuries, ranging from strains to fractures and dislocations.
Symptoms of a knee injury may present as pain, swelling, and discoloration around the knee, while other symptoms may present more serious concerns like not being able to put any weight on your leg. Sports like football and volleyball can present a risk for athletes to experience knee injuries because of the challenges it has on the body like sudden changes in direction and physical contact with other athletes.
When participating in fall sports, athletes can be subjected to other types of leg injuries. Leg injuries can vary in severity, from a simple sprain or strain or something more severe like a fracture. Participating in physically taxing sports can increase your risk of experiencing a leg injury because of the repeated, intense stress that is placed on your body.
Because of the demands that fall sports can place on their bodies, fall sport athletes can run the risk of experiencing injury. Thankfully, physical therapy can provide you with the tools, techniques and information needed to participate in the sports that you love by helping you alleviate pain, recover from an injury, and reduce the likelihood of future injuries. From initial assessment to injury recovery, PTs are here to assist athletes address setbacks or injuries and improve their performance post-recovery. PTs can even do preventative screens to assess for the risk of injury. Here are a few ways to reduce the likelihood of fall sport injuries all season long:
Getting adequate rest is essential for the well-being of athletes because it gives your body the time to recover from rigorous training and competition.
Rest and recovery holds just as much importance as other aspects of your training, so we encourage you to incorporate rest into your routine.
We recommend that you prioritize nutrition and hydration when preparing for the fall sports season. Nutrition is important to provide your body with the energy needed to not only reduce the risk of injury but also optimize your performance. Additionally, hydration is essential for overall bodily function, from proper muscle function to mood and concentration levels.
Listening to your body is a very effective strategy when preventing sports injuries this fall. This can be done by paying attention to the warning signs when something feels off or abnormal. Paying attention to the signs allows you to act accordingly and promptly on potential issues before they may escalate into something worse. This can also be done by adjusting your workouts or reaching out to a healthcare professional.
While fall sports like football and cross-country can be exciting, they can still come with the risk of common fall sports injuries that can plague an athlete. Injuries like concussions, sprains, and strains have been known to deter the progression of athletes, particularly when not treated properly. Thankfully, athletes and other active individuals can utilize physical therapy for their unique needs. PT can help you to not only recover from existing injuries but also provide you with the exercises and techniques needed to reduce your risk of re-injury.
Are you interested in learning more about injury prevention before the fall season commences? Results Physiotherapy is the place for you. At Results PT, our team of healthcare professionals are equipped with the skills and expertise needed to guide you on your journey towards recovery and injury prevention. Through our personalized treatment plans, our PTs can provide you with the care needed to not only heal and prevent further injury but continue to participate in the sports you love. Schedule an appointment with us today and take the first steps towards a healthier season and lifestyle.
