Basketball is a way of life for millions of American youths. It is a fun game, and an amazing exercise. However, basketball is a contact sport and injuries happen. And yes, since the players play all year round, they’re likely to get repetitive stress injuries like tendonitis.
Injuries when playing basketball are caused by falls, awkward landings, player contact, abrupt changes in direction, or being hit by the ball. The common types of injuries are, therefore:
- Lower body injuries especially ankle sprains
- Hand, fingers, face, head, teeth, and face injuries
- Knee injuries
- And overuse injuries are common in higher player levels due to the intensity and duration of play.
Luckily, there are ways in which a basketball player can prevent these injuries. These include:
- Strength Training and Flexibility
Before you start your game, take some minutes to perform a well-rounded warm-up program. Doing so improves flexibility and thus diminishes any risk of injury.
But that’s not all! Strength training, cross-training, and aerobic conditioning exercises also play an important role in injury prevention. For a serious and organized team, this should be a requirement before getting to the court.
Proper warm-up exercises alleviate strains on the joints and ligaments. It also builds strength around the supporting muscles like the knees. And yes, it can also reduce the recovery time for any injuries that may occur.
After the game, it is also important to do cool-down stretching. It reduces the lactic acid buildup in muscles which results in faster recovery times.
- Hydration
Proper hydration starts before you get to the court. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink water.
When playing and exercising, your body losses a lot of fluids and electrolytes through sweating. Therefore, you need to replenish these fluids with water to avoid dehydration signs like dry mouth, confusion, or headache.
- The Basketball Court
Basketball game involves anywhere from two to 10 players. And yes, these players can play in different spaces from driveways, gyms, and playgrounds. All these potential courts present the players with an array of different surfaces.
Regardless of where you choose to play, you should always inspect the court before starting the game. Ensure the basketball floor is free of any cracks or holes that may result in twisted or sprained ankles.
- Don’t Ignore Any Injury
When playing, it is always good to be self-aware. This means that you should stop playing whenever you’re in pain or feeling tired.
And yes, many injuries on the basketball court can heal reliably if they’re treated properly and early. However, failure to treat these injuries may linger throughout the game season and cause missed playtime if they’re not addressed soonest possible.
Remember, overuse injuries take time to appear. These injuries compromise your body’s ability to recover or rebuild muscles damaged from the game. Therefore, listen to your body always. If there’s any discomfort, pain, or injury, stop playing and seek medical attention immediately. That’s the only way to be assured of your health while playing the next game.