Introduction
Physically active people, particularly athletes', are always going to have some vulnerability to injury. People can sustain new injuries; aggravate old ones, or be managing injuries on a day to day basis. Injuries are encountered in a number of ways' on the field, in training and competition, in the fitness studio, and during normal daily activities.
Whether you are fitness obsessive or a reluctant exerciser - any individual can suffer an injury.
The very best in preparation, from careful training and using correct equipment to the performance tactics during competitions; still cannot guarantee an injury free performer. However, if the athlete is fit enough for the activities they are involved in, and knows how to prepare, in terms of warm-up, apparel, and mental approach, the risks are minimised.
The warning signs that something is not right, such as an unusually tight muscle, a sharp pain on movement, or a localised swelling around a joint, for example, should be attended to immediately. Minor sports injuries can often lead to more serious problems simply because insufficient care and attention are paid to them in the athlete's normal approach to sport and training.
In this particular unit we will look at:
- Understanding the cause of injury (aetiology)
- Injury assessment and diagnosis
- Injury treatment and rehabilitation (acute, post-acute and chronic)
- Strategies for injury prevention (attempted avoidance of injury or reoccurrence of injury)
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