
Last season sucked.
While you were on the bench, your team was struggling through their worse season in a decade. And all you could do was watch helplessly from the sidelines.
Your team needed you. And yet, there was nothing you could do. You sprained your knee during the first game, and it wasn't the same for the rest of the year.
You're the captain. The team's best player. But you're human. And just like any human, you're no match for injuries. Now you're sitting at your team's end-of-year banquet, as your coaches try to soften the blow of another failed season.
And you can't help but wonder, what if.
What if you were out there with your teammates? What if you didn't play through that knee tweak? What if you didn't try to be a tough guy and just took a rest day?
But there's one thing you do know, this year's going to be different. You're going to work your butt off during the summer and take the necessary precautions to prepare your body for whatever the season brings.
No one likes to get injured. Which is why we went through the process of rounding up five ways you can protect yourself against future injuries.
Believe it or not, but most injuries come down to two main factors.
As an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine expert, Dr. Andrew Cosgarea points out, "Sports injuries generally occur for two different reasons: trauma and overuse. And while traumatic sports injuries are usually obvious, dramatic scenes, like when we see a player fall down clutching their knee, overuse injuries are actually more common.”
So now that we know what injuries stem from, it's time to get into the specifics. Without further ado, here are five ways you can reduce your risk of injury:
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Your body is an amazing machine. But that doesn't mean it's invincible. If you don't prepare your body the right way, you leave yourself open to all sorts of injuries.
And I don't care who you are or how tough you are. An injury will have you on the sidelines cheering when you could be on the field helping your team win.
Above are steps you can take to help prepare your body to deal with the season ahead. By taking the appropriate precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of an injury.
Some of them might seem excessive, but I assure you that each step will go a long way in making sure you have a healthy, successful season.
What are some common sports injuries? How are they diagnosed? And how are they treated? Learn more about sports medicine here.
Do you have any experience with sports injuries? Have any advice for someone trying to heal?
Let us know in the comments!