February 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 40 FEATURE | health & fitness A round of tennis, golf or basketball or even just cycling by the beach after a long day at work can be a great stressbuster. Being active goes a long way towards keeping your circulation from getting sluggish, your ticker healthy and your bones in top condition. Not to mention the rush of endorphins that puts you on a happy high and the sense of achievement and heathy competition that come with it. This holds true for children as well. But, as with all things in life, this has a flip side to it – injuries. Dr Maik Priester, orthopaedic consultant at the German Orthopaedic Hospital, specialises in arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine. He tells us how we can continue playing and keeping healthy without the danger of injury. “Sports injuries are injuries related to playing sports or exercising. Sometimes they happen when people are not fit enough for the activity they choose or did not warm up properly before playing. Sometimes they happen even to the fittest of athletes due to trauma or interaction with other players,” says Dr Priester. Sports injuries vary in forms and grades of severity such as sprains and strains, muscle tears, dislocations and fractures. They can be classified as acute or chronic. An acute injury happens suddenly while playing sports; it is usually associated with a traumatic event. A chronic injury can also be defined as an overuse injury. It normally develops slowly, is persistent and lasts for a long time. The pain is less compared to an acute injury – one of the reasons it is often ignnored. Dr Priester warns that, over time, the symptoms build up to a point where they could restrict a normal lifestyle. So what can a sports enthusiast do to avoid injuries? “Prevention is an important part of sports medicine. The risk of getting injured can be reduced by warming up properly before doing exercises,” says the doctor. He also goes on to warn that one must not push the body beyond its current fitness level. Incorporating strength training and stretching into your exercise programme helps to prevent injury. Adequate hydration maintains health and minimises muscle Playing Safe Many of us resort to a favourite sport to pack in some fun and a cardio-like workout. For a safe game or workout, Behnaz Sanjana looks at how to dodge and tackle sports injuries. Sports injuries vary in forms and grades of severety; like sprains and strains, muscle tears, dislocations and fractures
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