Management of non-traumatic (overuse) injuries
by Michael Wood
Who are at risk?
Excessive training is a risk factor for the development of an overuse injury. In fact, the number of consecutive days of training is an indication of your level of risk. The more consecutive days you train, the higher your chances of developing an overuse injury. Teenagers are also at an increased risk of developing an overuse injury due to their growing bodies.
Why?
Your body does not have enough time to recover/repair itself from the last training session.
Management
It is important to pick up the signs and symptoms of an overuse injury early on because most overuse injuries resolve with rest and activity modification.
Signs/Symptoms of Overuse injury:
- Pain worse with activity and eases with rest
- Pain generally is not getting any better
- Localised pain and swelling
- Non-responsive to stretching (can be painful)
- May decrease performance level
knee injuryKey points to minimize overuse injuries
- Introduce new activities gradually over a period of weeks and at a reduced intensity so that the players bodies have time to adjust
- Run on soft surfaces which mimic those that players train/play on so that their bodies get used to it. Avoid running on paved areas.
- Create variety in training (swimming/cycling)
- Incorporate a recovery day into your training
- Adequate rest between training sessions
- Listen to your body (pain and fatigue)
- Get plenty of sleep
- See a physio earlier rather than later
Related Pages
- Other articles by Michael Wood
- Advantages of barefoot running
- Injury treatment in sports
- Tennis Elbow — not just for tennis players.
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