Any type of sport can lead to injuries no matter how much training you do. People who play top-level sports consistently give it their best and sometimes they pay the price for it. Here is a list of some of the most common injuries seen throughout the sporting world.
Knee injury
Probably the most common of injuries in the sporting world, a knee injury has spelled doom for many a would-be champion athlete who has had to then pursue other avenues in life. An example of this is Burt Reynolds who wanted to play football for Florida State but was ultimately sidelined as a sophomore. Basketball players also have a lot of knee issues because of the intensity of the game. Shaquille O’Neil has been plagued with a form of arthritis known as Osteoarthritis as has world champion golfer Tiger Woods.
Groin Injury
This is another injury that commonly occurs with start-stop action in sports such as cricket, ice hockey, and baseball. It usually takes a couple of days of rest to quell this issue unless there is a more severe problem. A groin injury can be more of a problem the older you get if you are still active in sports but with proper stretching and care, groin injuries can be avoided.
Hamstring injury
Sometimes no matter how much you warm up, if you push yourself too much you can damage parts of your body you may not have thought about. The hamstring injury is a common occurrence in sports that require a lot of fast-paced running such as AFL football, soccer, and rugby. It occurs at the back of the thigh and is graded into 3 different severities:
- A mild muscle pull or strain
- A partial muscle tear
- A complete muscle tear.
Recovery varies depending on the severity of the injury but either way, pro sports people do not want to be out of their respective sports for too long.
Clavicle injury
A clavicle fracture, otherwise known as a broken collarbone, in a jockey can lessen the Sire Produce Stakes odds or influence the Melbourne Cup outcome and create doubt as to whether the horse and jockey can even compete in a race, much less win it. This is why jockeys need to stay fit and in tune with the horse that they are riding. Top-level cyclists also commonly have this problem with 16% of clavicle injuries occurring from this sport.
Concussions
Many contact sports such as AFL football and Gridiron have a high level of concussed players due to the physical demands of the sport. It has been a much-contended issue over the years with many neuroscientists calling for more care in high contact sports. Attempts have been made to curb the issues that come with full-contact sports and it is commendable that some sporting franchises have taken notice. Research is still ongoing about the long-term effects of concussions but the overall conjecture is that it is definitely something to be concerned about and measures should be taken to prevent them.
Any kind of high-performance activity comes with its own set of risks but with extra care and quality medical advice, an injury does not necessarily mean the end of a sporting career. Putting pressure on your body the way that some sports can simply means that you need to take additional steps to ensure your safety wherever possible.
