Sport and exercise can sometimes cause injuries. Sports injuries can happen as a result of:
- not warming up properly before exercising more vigorously,
- pushing too hard for your current level of fitness, or
- using inadequate equipment.
To reduce the risk of being injured while exercising, ask a qualified health professional or sports coach for training and safety advice.
Before starting a new exercise programme or taking up a new sport, it is also a good idea to visit your GP for a check-up and fitness assessment.
See Useful links for more information and advice about how to exercise safely.
Types of sports injury
Sport injuries can be acute or chronic.
- Acute sports injuries occur as a result of a sudden impact or awkward movement. Examples include a cut to the skin or a sprained ankle.
- Chronic sports injuries develop over time, often due to continual use of the same joints or muscle groups.
Chronic sports injuries can occur due to bad technique or occasionally structural abnormalities, such as an inherited bone or muscle problem.
Chronic sports injuries should be investigated by a medical professional to determine the cause and to prevent the injury getting worse.
Some common sports injuries include:
- sprains,
- strains,
- cuts and bruises,
- bone fractures and breaks,
- tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon),
- blisters, and
- head injuries.
See the Symptoms section, above, for more information about common sports injuries.
