Preventing Racket Sport Injuries
Preventing Racket Sport Injuries
Racket sports such as tennis and squash require athletes to make a wide range of reaction movements including sprinting, reaching, jumping, lunging, changing directions and sopping & starting. These movements have to be made very quickly and repeatedly throughout the game. This means that the athlete’s body is constantly being put under strain and therefore making potential injuries very likely.
The areas that are most at risk from injury are shoulders, the lower back, ankles, elbows & wrists.
Preventing Injury
Because of the stress that racket sports place on the body it is essential that athletes do not try to over do the movements that they do during the game. If the athlete is new to the sport or the athlete wish to increase the intensity of that they play the sport then it is important to do strengthening exercises. These will help to strengthen the key areas of the body that are at risk from injury in racket sports. As well as reducing the risk of injury these exercises will also aid increasing the athlete’s performance levels.
Strengthening exercises should consist of two areas. Firstly weight exercises which focus on the key areas such as the shoulder and the lower back. Secondly strengthening exercises should consist of aerobic cross training, such as swimming, cycling or jogging.
In addition to strengthening exercises warm up exercises must be carried out before every match or training session.
The information in this article is for guidance and should not be used in place of recognised training and professional advice.
Allsport Medical
Allsport Medical is also a supplier of a wide range of sports first aid kits including a kit specifically designed for racket sports. Our range also consists of supplies which include Hot & Cold Therapy, Sports Tapes & Bandages and Dressing & Wound care.
www.allsportmedical.co.uk