Proper hydration for performance. Important guidelines for Coaches.

An athlete can sustain a quadriceps or hamstrings strain during any activity which involves rapid acceleration or deceleration.  This includes sports such as baseball, softball, lacrosse and track.    Often times, these injuries are caused because the athlete doesn’t warm up properly, and attempts to sprint while the muscles are tight.  Especially in our region, where it is often times cold during practices and games, it is very important to properly warm up and stretch the muscles.   

What does a certified athletic trainer do?

Certified athletic trainers are medical experts in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity.  Athletic trainers can help you avoid unnecessary medical treatment and disruption of normal daily life.  If you’re injured, they can get you on the mend and keep you on the move. 

As we approach the beginning of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing I figured it would be a good time to discuss some Skiing and Snowboarding injuries.

Acute sprains are the most common musculoskeletal injury in athletes, accounting for an estimated 2 million injuries per year and 20 percent of all sports injuries in the United States. Ankle sprains occur most often in sports that involve sudden stops and cutting movements, such as basketball and soccer. The most common type of ankle injury is a lateral ankle inversion sprain. If not treated properly, an acute ankle sprain can lead to chronic problems such as decreased range of motion, pain, and joint instability. When dealing with ankle sprains, the best option is prevention. This can be done simply by taking a few minutes each day to do some simple exercises. In fact, one study found that a balance training program implemented throughout a sports season could reduce the rate of ankle sprains by 38% in basketball and soccer players.

Ice Hockey requires a unique combination of speed, power, and teamwork.  Due to the large volume of contact, many injuries can occur.  Some of them are avoidable. 

Catastrophic cervical spine injuries resulting in quadriplegia (paralysis of all 4 extremities) are among the most devastating injuries in sports.  

After enjoying the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi I figured it would be a good time to discuss some Skiing and Snowboarding injuries.

Thousands of people ski and snowboard each winter, but very few of them actually spend the time to properly get their body ready for the sport. Many times injuries occur as a result of poor weather conditions, and poor judgment on the part of the participant.

Have Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place

This should include clear delineation of people’s roles, location of equipment (spine boards, AEDs, etc), and clear communication between all parties involved. Make sure to introduce yourself to the EMS providers at games.

Lacrosse is America’s oldest and fastest growing team sport. Due to its combination of speed, change of direction, and contact it makes for a unique set of injury mechanisms and types.

Girls and boys lacrosse differ greatly in equipment, rules, and style of play.