Common sports injuries: Acute vs Chronic injury and how to prevent them for Athletes
Playing sports starting at a young age has proven to increase emotional, mental and physicall benefits for youth athletes. But when pushed too hard over time, the risk of suffering from common sports injuries also increases in young athletes.
In 2019, the CDC reported that youth sports and activities caused nearly 3 million visits to the emergency room for patients between the ages of 5-24, with football, basketball, cycling and soccer being sited as the top four activities behind the injuries.
For parents, coaches and athletes it's important to know a few things when it comes to common injuries: The difference between the two types of injuries athletes might encounter throughout their sports journey, what those common injuries are and their risk factors, as well as ways to prevent sports-related injuries.
Types of Injuries
Acute sports injuries are not always avoidable and are often caused by an athlete landing incorrectly, contact sports collissions between players, twisting a joint during competition, or other types of traumatic injuries. They can usually be identified by a "pop" sound, bruising, swelling or other painful deformity.
Common acute injuries for athletes may be sprains or disclocations. Typically, this type of injury for young athletes or active adults will last for less than six months with proper treatment.
Chronic injuries on the other hand are long-term, nagging pain, stiffness or soreness caused by overuse during athletic activities.
Many injured athletes will suffer from comon chronic injuries such as:
- Shin splints
- Golfer's elbow
- Knee injuries (runner's knee)
- Groin pull
- Hamstring strain
These sports-related injuries can occur from microtears building up from years of repetitive movement that eventually cause a joint or structure to become too thin and give out. Often these ailments can be treated with physical therapy, rest, icing, or ant-inflammoratories.
The good news for chronic injuries is that unlike acute injuries that can happen as part of contact sports, overuse injuries such as shin splints can be prevented. While most current or former athletes that have had to suffer through these painful feelings from knee injuries to shin splints, often chalk it up to being 'part of the game,' it doesn't have to be that way.
Preventing Chronic Injuries
Sprains, broken bones, and fractures are not always avoidable when it comes to participating in sports, but there are some ways that coaches and parents can help their athletes lower their chances of some common sports injuries.
- Rest days: Athletes, especially young athletes, should be encouraged to take at least one rest day away from their sport each week.
- Strength training: Teaching proper technique and building muscle can help athletes avoid musculoskeletal injuries, or reduce the severity of such incidents.
- Don't be sport specific: Playing a single sport, especially as a young athlete, can cause overuse (chronic) injuries because of the repetitive movements through out the year.
The number of reported ER visits from athletic activities should emphasize the importance of understanding and addressing these risks for the well-being of young athletes. By understanding the difference between acute injuries (sudden trauma) and chronic injury (overuse), parents and coaches can help their teams and athletes prioritize well-rounded development with strength training, proper rest, and treatment of injuries that do occur so that players can hopefully enjoy longer, happier sports journeys from childhood into adulthood.
Kristin Tullo is a certified strength and conditioning and sports psychology coach that has been working with athletes for ten years. Using her background in Social Work and former athletic career, she now helps athletes maximize their athletic potential through mental and physical strength.
To implement a strength program for your athlete to improve sports performance and lower the risk of injury, get started right here!
