Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Chapter 2: Safe and Smart Physical Activity Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Lesson Objectives: • List and describe some activity-related physical injuries. • List some guidelines for preventing injuries during physical activity. • Explain how to apply the RICE formula to the treatment of physical injuries.

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Question Injuries can occur while playing sports or because you attempt to do too much activity. What are some common types of injuries?

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Answer Some common types of injuries are • chronic injuries, which result from overuse or over-training; examples include – shinsplints, – stress fractures, – tennis elbow, and – rotator cuff (shoulder) injuries.

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Answer (continued) • acute injuries, which result from an accident that occurs while participating; examples include – spraining an ankle, – straining a muscle, and – breaking a bone.

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Answer (continued) Another kind of injury is called microtrauma. It is • a small but unseen and unfelt injury, • caused by risky exercises, • caused by wear and tear over time, and • the cause of muscle or joint injuries later in life.

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Question What is the difference between a strain and a sprain?

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Answer • Sprains are injuries to ligaments (sprained ankle, for example). • Strains are injuries to muscles and tendons (strained hamstring muscle, for example).

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Question What is the difference between a sign and a symptom of an injury?

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Answer

• Signs are things the injured person or others can see: – bruising – swelling – bleeding • Symptoms are felt by the injured person: – soreness – sharp pain

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Question Injuries from physical activity occur most often to skin, bones, ligaments, and tendons. What is the difference between ligaments and tendons?

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Answer • Ligaments are tissues that connect bones together. • For example, knee ligaments connect the bones of the upper and lower leg (femur to the tibia and fibula) (see picture).

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Answer (continued) • Tendons are tissues that connect muscles to bone. • For example one tendon connects the muscle of the upper leg to the kneecap (see previous picture).

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Question When an injury happens, it needs to be treated. For injuries such as sprains and strains, what should be done immediately following an injury?

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury Answer The RICE principle should be followed: • Rest • Ice • Compression • Elevation

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