Sports Injury and Performance

What causes sports Injury?

Sports injuries can be caused or exacerbated by a number of number factors including muscle imbalances, structural abnormalities, overuse, poor training programming and poor training form. Other factors, such as nutrition, have also been shown to play a role in sports injury. Pro-inflammatory diets (those high in simple sugars and refined oils and low in fruit and vegetables) and nutrient deficiencies can hinder tissue repair predisposing to pain and injury.

 

How can you avoid sports injury?

Sport injuries are best prevented by eliminating, or minimising, common causes. This would be specific to each athlete and their sport but would include: a well-structured training programme with appropriate management of load, volume and intensity; a nutrient rich, anti-inflammatory diet; good sleep; and stress management.  

A physical assessment to ensure appropriate strength, flexibility and muscle balance is also important, especially in athletes with a history of injury.

 

What are the most common sports injuries?

Different injuries will occur more or less often depending on which sports you play. Below is a list of the most common injuries across sports:

• Ankle sprain.
• Groin pull.
• Hamstring strain.
• Shin splints.
• Anterior cruciate ligament tear (of the knee)
• Patellofemoral syndrome (injury resulting from the repetitive movement of your kneecap against your thigh bone)
• Tennis elbow

 

How are sports injuries treated?

Sports injury treatment should be should be tailored to the athlete, their sport and their condition.  Hands-on techniques such as manipulation, mobilisation, deep tissue massage, dry needling and soft tissue release are effective in most cases. Exercise rehabilitation often is required to restore muscle strength, flexibility or muscle imbalance once the initial pain has eased.  Some injuries also require nutritional interventions.