Physical therapist Melanie McNeal and Dr. Masih Ahmed from the Baylor College of Medicine have indicated that adults participating in contact sports are at a higher risk of injury compared to children. They have also shared some essential tips for preventing injuries.
McNeal, who works at Baylor College of Medicine, has pointed out the inherent risks associated with different sports. "Some sports are inherently more dangerous than others, but all contact sports have a high risk for injury," she says. She further adds, "Each sport has injuries that are more common. For instance, top injuries in basketball and soccer are ACL tears in the knee and ankle sprains."
Engaging in team sports can be an enjoyable way for adults to get their required exercise. However, these activities also carry a potential risk of injury, with adults being particularly vulnerable. According to McNeal: "As we get older, we get stiffer and lose flexibility, therefore it takes us longer to loosen up and be prepared for high-intensity movements or activity that requires agility. Preventing injury is super important because it takes our bodies longer to heal when we get injured. We don’t bounce back like kids do."
To mitigate this risk, McNeal suggests several simple strategies such as warming up properly before engaging in the sport, cooling down appropriately after playing, strength training to develop muscles that help prevent injury, and listening to one's body when it signals discomfort or pain.
Eye injuries are common in contact sports and cannot be prevented by warming up or cooling down exercises alone. Dr. Ahmed emphasizes the importance of eye protection especially in sports where there is a possibility of coming into contact with another person's hands or fingers: "With any sport that you may come into contact with a person or their hands or fingers, eye protection is important." He notes that basketball players incur the most eye injuries among all athletes.
Concussions are another frequent occurrence in sports. Symptoms include double vision, headaches, foggy vision, and slight memory loss. It is crucial to seek medical attention if any of these symptoms are observed. With the right precautions and adequate rest when necessary, adults can prevent injury setbacks in their fitness journey and steadily improve their skills.
