Image via Wikipedia

Unless you are a golfer or dart-thrower, if you play sports, you are prone to injury. Of course, some sports will leave you more prone than others, but there are some universal measures you can take to help prevent injury in any line of sports – even Cornhole.

The first thing you need to do is familiarize yourself with the physical demands and expectations of the sport you are playing. Research the types of injuries that are common to the sport and look at the measures some of the more trained and skilled athletes take in order to prevent injury. In cycling, for example, the most common types of injuries have to do with different leg and muscle fatigues, like IT Band Syndrome. It’s a common condition among cyclists, and can be alleviated by changing the saddle height or cleat position. Unless you have done your research, however, this won’t be so apparent.

Secondly, you need to stretch. Focus especially on those muscle groups which are expending the greatest amount of effort or receiving the greatest amount of stress. Pitchers and quarterbacks, for example, should stretch their shoulder and arm muscles to stay loose and limber and avoid muscle cramps. Runners should stretch their hamstrings and him flexors for the same reason.

If your sport calls for protective gear, like in Lacrosse, Football, Hockey, or Baseball, wear that protective gear. You may be out just messing around, but if the competition gets serious, then serious injuries will result if you’re not adequately protected. Sports like these involve a lot of physical contact and in addition to protective gear; you need a good wall of muscle behind the pads to help reduce the impacts on your body.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you should never underestimate the preventative and recuperative power of rest. Overtraining and overexertion can lead to injury just as much as inactivity. Rest is just as important for sports training as exercise and practice, and it will help prevent physical and psychological injury.