Heather O’dell // Contributing Writer
Sports encourage students to keep their bodies fit, feel good about themselves and participate in something they love to do. But with competitive or recreational activities and games, comes the risk of injury.
While playing competitively in a sport, it is just as important to give your body ample rest and a proper warm up before engaging in activity. The most common injuries reported from athletes are due to overuse or trauma, according to Erasmo Alvarez, clinical assistant professor in the department of physical therapy at FIU.
Oliver Bernard, a sophomore at FIU who enjoys playing basketball recreationally, recently suffered from a knee injury that required surgery.
“Once I got hurt, I didn’t think it was a big deal,” said Bernard. “I just wanted to keep playing basketball with my buddies at the gym. Eventually, my original injury turned into something serious since I never rested it. I had surgery on my right knee due to overuse.”
Players and students who participate in intramural or professional sports need ample rest after initial damage.
“Athletes tend to have this mentality of doing too much too soon,” said Alvarez. “That is what we refer to as a ‘overuse’ injury.”
Before practice or a game, Alvarez said, athletes should conduct a proper warm up for a minimum of five minutes.
“The biggest misconception athletes have is that stretching is considered a warm up,” said the physical therapist. “A good warm up should consist of jumping jacks, lunges and a light jog.”
Alvarez also mentioned that along with a proper warm up, athletes must have the discipline to consistently workout to improve strength, build muscle and develop flexibility.
“This is where stretching comes into play,” said Alvarez. “Stretching should be done every day to increase the range of motion and lengthen their muscles, not just as a limbering up.”
Players also must keep proper form and use the correct gear while participating in a game or even circuit training, according to the physical therapist.
“You can’t wear running shoes and join in during a basketball game,” said Alvarez. “That will result in a sprained ankle.”
In the event that an injury occurs, it is important for a player to take sufficient rest time, which is 4-7 days just to reduce swelling, and ice the injury. Applying heat may feel good, but in fact will prolong the injury recovery time. If an athlete follows RICE, which means rest, ice, compression and elevation, they will be back in the game in no time.
“After my knee surgery, I will never take another injury lightly again. It’s important to take care of our bodies properly,” said Bernard. “I’m back to playing basketball, and I feel better than ever.”