Interest and participation in sports and |exercise| has never been higher. People are increasingly taking part in such sports as aerobic dance, |swimming|, racquetball, handball, biking, tennis, basketball, and other activities that add to physical fitness. Unfortunately, along with the increased participation, there has also been an increase in sport-related injuries.
We are more aware than ever of many factors that can help prevent injuries, such as protective equipment kept in good repair, a well-conditioned body, and proper warm-up prior to |exercise| and participation in the sport. Also, keep in mind the body's general condition, and restructure the physical activity accordingly. For example, a person who has a bad cold or an ~infection~ can make himself sicker or be more prone to injury if he doesn't adjust his workout to a certain extent.
The basic types of injury that occur in sports are acute trauma and overuse injury. The acute trauma requires immediate attention (such as a fracture or dislocation). The overuse injury is more subtle and may not be recognized at first. It occurs as a result of overtraining, improper techniques, etc. These injuries develop slowly, interfere with training, and can be slow in improving. Examples of overuse injuries include pulled muscles, strains and |sprains|, and tendinitis and |bursitis|.
Anyone who participates in sports or an |exercise| program needs to be aware not only of the benefits of the fitness program, but also of the high potential for injuries that may interfere with activity.
