UNIT - 9

SPORTS MEDICINE

Key Points:

Concept, Aims & Scope of Sports Medicine

Sports Injuries: -Classifications, Causes & Preventive Measures
First Aid- Aims & Objectives
Management of Injuries

Sports medicine

Sports medicine is a branch of healthcare. It deals with the diagnosis, treatment and
prevention of Injuries related to participation in sports and / or exercise.

Scope of sports medicine

In the field of physical education and sports, the fields of various sub-disciplines of sports medicine
are utilize. Without the knowledge of scope of sports medicine it is difficult to carry a sportsperson
performance at apex level. There are following scope of sports medicine:

a) Sports and first aid

b) Human anatomy and physiology

c) Female and sports

d) Study of optimal load for different age groups

e) Scientific promotion of games and sports

f) Sports injury rehabilitation

g) Fitness for games and sports.

Aims of sports medicine

a) To provide information to athletes about injuries.

b) To provide knowledge about the causes of injuries.

c) To provide means or treatment for sports injuries and for rehabilitation of injuries.

d) To provide knowledge about the preventive measures of sports injuries.

d. To aware the sports person & athlete about the different kinds of injury in respect of
different games.
e. To concentrate on the causes of injury

Concept of Sports medicine

Bio-mechanics related to sports

Effect of attitude on endurance performance
Psychological aspect performance
Nutrition & metabolism in relation to competition & performance Recommendations of

FISM(the International Federation of Sports Medicine at world level)

Cardio-respiratory function in relation to performance Exercise in

Cardio-Vascular disease prevention & rehabilitation

Prevention of Sports Injuries :

Pre-participation of medical check up

Proper conditioning
Avoid dehydration
Protective Sports equipment & Gears
Adequate & effectively maintained facilities
Sports person’s psychological conditions & environment
Adequate rehabilitation/Injury management
Proper use of right techniques
Balanced diet & adequate rest
Use of proper skills
Warming up & cooling down
Impact of surface on athletes

There are two types of surfaces used in any indoor or outdoor games. These are natural and
artificial surfaces. Natural surfaces is the surfaces that are prepared through proper combination of
natural elements like soil and grass. On the other hand, artificial surfaces are more like carpets
which are made from artificial components like rubber, synthetic fiber etc. These surfaces impact
performance of athletes differently. In many contact games like football, cricket, running and
Kabaddi natural surfaces are preferred because they provide more familiarity, grip and avoid severe
injuries. On the other hand, artificial surfaces provide more opportunities for practice because their
use need not be stopped for maintenance. Also, with innovation in technology, artificial surfaces are
becoming more user friendly. Risks of injuries are reducing in artificial surfaces also nowadays.

3 Impact of Surfaces and Environment on Athletes

9.4A. Sports Injury

 Intrinsic Risk Factor Extrinsic Risk Factor

Physical Preparation
Coaching
Lack of proper training
a. Poor techniques
Fitness label
b. Lack of knowledge Environmental
Improper warming up & cooling Down
Factors
Over use of muscles Skill
a. Climate
Muscles imbalance Rules & Regulations
b. Playing Surface
Individual variables:- Surrounding
c. Preventive surfaces
a. Gender and Age Environment
d. Medical facilities
b. Nutrition Equipment
c. Fatigue Facilities
d. Posture deformities

Climatic conditions affect the performance

Environmental conditions, such as excessively high or low temperatures, have the potential to
have a negative impact on an athlete‘s well-be ing. An athletes‘ ability to use a numberof
thermoregulation techniques helps in regulating body temperature.

Sports injuries are those which are common in the field of games and sports. During training,
competition or practice, any player can be injured. Perhaps there will not be any player who has
not been injured during his career.

Strain is also a muscle injury. A strain is caused by twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon. A
sudden strain is caused by a recent injury, lifting heavy objects or rods in wrong way and over
stressing the muscles. Chronic strain are usually caused by moving the muscles and tendons in
repetition.
Sprain is a ligament injury. It may occur due to overstretching or tearing of ligaments. Many things
can cause sprain. Falling, twisting, or getting hit can force a point out of its normal position. This can
cause ligaments aroung the joints to tear.Generally, Sprain occurs at wrist and ankle joints.

Prevention of sprain and strain

a) Conditioning should be performed during the preparatory period.

b) Sports equipments must be of good quality.

c) Play courts should be smooth and clean.

d) The scientific knowledge of games should be must for preventing srain.

e) Player should discontinue during the condition of fatigue.

f) Good officiating is essential for preventing such injury.

g) Players should be careful and alert during practice, training and competition.

Abrasion is a key injury generally occurs due to friction with certain equipments or a fall over the
area where bone is very close to skin. It may be caused by a fall on hard surface. As someone falls
or slides on the ground, friction causes layers of the skin to rub off.

Bruises are not clearly seen as upper skin remains undamaged and inner blood vessels are
damaged and collect beneath the skin. A fresh bruise may actually be reddish and after a few hours
it turns to blue or dark purple.

A laceration is a wound that is produced by tearing of soft body tissue.

Contusion is a muscle injury. A direct hit with or without any sports equipment can be the main
cause of contusion. Contusion can also be due to minor accidents to the skin such as falling,
bumping into something or being hit or kicked. In contusion blood vessels in muscles are broken
and sometimes bleeding may occur in the muscles which may cause bruise.Stiffnes and swelling
are common features at the site of contusion.

Management:
 Cold compression should be used immediately. Ice or cold water should not be used for
more than 40 minutes persistently.
The cold compression should be performed 5 to 6 times daily.
If there is more swelling at the sight of contusion, the anti-inflammatory medicine should
be given.
If the swelling persists, consult the Doctor immediately.
For the purpose of rehabilitation, flexibility exercises should be performed.

Causes of sports injuries

To effectively diagnose, rehabilitate and ultimately prevent subsequent injuries, a sport

therapist

Anatomical Factors: These are related to make up of the body. Leg length differences a n
d cause injuries to ankle, hip and back.
Age related causes As the body ages, it changes. It is less able to produce force, recovers

slower and soft tissues lose the ability to stretch. Therefore it is more prone to injury.

Training related cause’s Excessive repetitive loading of the tissues is needed for
successive adaptation. However without suitable recovery, tissues never have the
chance to adapt and can fail.
Equipment selection factors These are related to the suitability of equipment. An instance is
incorrect footwear, which will not protect the foot and ankle adequately. It also will not
distribute forces effectively. Thus it increases the risk of injury.
Impact and contact causes Impact or contact can be with objects, surfaces or other people.
These injuries are common in contact sports like football, rugby, hockey etc. Also they are
common in more dangerous sports like motor racing, boxing and skiing.

Joint injuries & its types

A hard blow to a joint, a fall, a forceful throwing, lifting or hitting may cause dislocation. Infact it
is dislocation of surface of bones.

Types of dislocation

a) Dislocation of lower jaw: it occurs when the chin strikes to any other object. It may occur if
mouth is opened excessively.

b) Dislocation of shoulder joint: dislocation of shoulder joint may occur due to a sudden jerk or a
fall over a hard surface. The end of the humerous comes out from the socket. In face when your
shoulder dislocates, a strong force, such as a sudden blow to your shoulder. Pulls the bones in
your shoulder out of place.

c) Dislocation of hip joint: By putting maximum strength spontaneously may cause

dislocation of hip joint. The end of the femur is displaced from the socket.

d) Dislocation of wrist: A sportsperson who participates in a sports or game in which he may fall,
runs the risk of getting a dislocated wrist. A miscalculated landing can also cause a dislocated
wrist. Infact, it generally occurs to the person who use his hand to break his fall.

Preventions:

a) Adequate warming-up should be performed prior to any activity.

b) Proper conditioning should be performed during preparatory period.

c) Stretching exercises should be include in warm-up

d) Players should be careful during training and competition.

e) Protective equipments should be used

f) Players should have good anticipation and concentration power

g) Always obey the rules and regulations.

h) Perform regular exercise around your shoulder, hip, and wrist joints etc.

i) Avoid falls or hits as far as possible.

Causes of fracture

Fracture usually occurs due to a high impact on the bone. It can be causes by overuse. The most
common causes of fracture are:

a) In such sports event where there is a high impact.

b) Traumatic, forceful and unnatural movements.

c) Prolonged long distance walking or running.

d) Sudden fall on hard surface.

e) Direct strike or hit with any solid sports equipment.

f) Osteoporosis.

Management of Fracture

a) Elevate the extremity and rest while bone heals itself.

b) Apply ice to the affected part for 24 to 48 hrs

c) If pain persists, give painkillers.

d) If there is any need of immobilization to the affected part, use a slint

e) After removal of swelling begin to put partial weight on the affected area.

f) Crutches or walking stick may be used in the beginning. After two weeks start putting
normal weight.

g) For 6 to 8 weeks, avoid the activity that caused stress fracture. Then start doing the
activity slowly.