Injury Prevention and Sports Safety

By Elizabeth Quinn, About.com Guide to Sports Medicine

Getting hurt doesn't have to be part of the game. Warming up adequately, training effectively, using proper equipment for your sport, and recognizing and addressing the early warning signs of injury can reduce your risk of aches and pains. Athletes, parents, and coaches alike have their tricks of the trade.

1. Injury Prevention
2. Safely Using Exercise Equipment
3. Nutrition for Staying Safe

4. Staying Safe in Extreme Conditions
5. Special Topics in Sports Medicine
6. Kids and Sports Medicine

Injury Prevention

Many sports injuries can be prevented, or at least reduced, if you take some basic precautions. Make sure you are prepared for your activity physically and mentally, and use the appropriate safety equipment.

• The 5 Most Common Sports Injuries
• 10 Tips for Safe Workouts
• The 6 Principles of Conditioning
• Why Warming Up Reduces Sports Injuries
• How to Warm Up Before Exercise
• How to Prevent Ankle Sprains
• How to Prevent Muscle Cramps
• How to Prevent Golf Injuries
• How to Safely Begin an Exercise Program
• How to Prevent Staph and Community Acquired MRSA

• How to Prevent Weight Gain by Strength Training
• How to Prevent Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
• How to Prevent Knee Pain
• How to Prevent a Side Stitch
• How to Prevent Overtraining
• How to Prevent Children's Sports Injuries
• The 10 Percent Rule of Progression
• Wrist Guards Help Prevent Snowboard Injuries
• What is an Exercise Stress Test?
• Spring Training Safety Guidelines

Safely Using Exercise Equipment

Some sports injuries can be avoided or by understanding how to fit, set-up, and use your sports equipment or gear. Learn how to use and maintain your equipment with these tips.

• How To Use the Rowing Machine
• How To Use a Stationary Bike
• How To Use the Elliptical Trainer
• How to Safely Use Free Weights
• How to Fit a Bicycle

• How to Fit a Bicycle Helmet
• How to Prevent Yoga Injuries
• Health Club Dos and Don'ts
• Common Health Club Exercise Mistakes
• How to Use the Treadmill

Nutrition for Staying Safe

Proper hydration and nutrition help you excel in sports and keep up your energy. But knowing what to eat and drink, and when, can also help you prevent potentially serious sports-related complications, such as dehydration. Proper sports nutrition can also help you recovery faster and decrease your risk of injury.

• Sports Nutrition Basics from Training to Competition
• Nutrition for Strength Training and Muscle Building
• Proper Hydration for Exercise - Water or Sports Drink
• Pre-Exercise Meal
• Post-Exercise Meal
• Water Intoxication - Hyponatremia

• Recommendations for Water, Sodium and Potassium
• Nutrition Tips for Vegetarian Athletes
• Nutrition for Winter Athletes
• Carbohydrates - An Athlete's Main Fuel Source
• Protein Needs for Athletes
• Caffeine and Peformance

Staying Safe in Extreme Conditions

Athletes often find themselves exercising in extreme outdoor weather conditions including extreme cold, heat, or altitude. These conditions require special preparation and knowledge in order to perform at an optimal level while staying comfortable and safe.

• Treating Common Heat Emergencies
• What is Heat Illness?
• What is Heat Stroke?
• Hypothermia and Frostbite
• Cold Weather Exercise Safety
• Nutrition for Winter Athletes

• Lightning Safety and Sports
• Altitude Illness
• High Altitude Exercise Precautions
• Hiking and Backpacking Safety Tips
• Sun Safety for Outdoor Athletes
• Spring Skiing | Snowboarding Safety

Special Topics in Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine covers a wide variety of topics and affects a large population of exercisers. These items focus on specific age groups, health conditions and other targeted sports medicine topics.

• Mitral Valve Prolapse and Exercise
• Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
• Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA)
• Exercise and Osteoporosis

• Strength Training for Arthritis Pain
• Tips for Older Athletes
• Children and Sports

Kids and Sports Medicine

Children have special needs when it comes to sports conditioning, and injury prevention. Young athletes also need to vary their training routine and have parents and coaches who help them develop discipline on and off the field.

• Kids and Sports: Do's and Don'ts for Parents
• Should I Coach My Child In Sports
• Kids Sports Injuries
• Parent's Checklist for Spring Sports
• Growth Plate Injuries

• More Kids Developing Overuse Sports Injuries
• Personal Trainers for Kids
• Books Every Sports Parent Should Read
• Getting Your Child Involved in Exercise
• Strength Training for Children