When performing physical activities, there will always be a risk of injury, albeit slight. Some sports and activities are prone to causing the same injury repeatedly, due to the equipment used or the engagement of specific muscles and body parts. Physical activities that may induce injury are those that involve speed, contact sports or activities that require repetitive muscle use, such as lifting weights.
Cycling
Cycling is an activity performed as a form of recreation, for exercise and also as a form of transport. Most injuries occur as a result of riding at high speeds and most serious injuries usually involve collision with a road vehicle. Injuries that may occur due to riding too often include musculoskeletal complaints, entrapment neuropathy, a condition bought on by direct pressure on a nerve, and complaints affecting the genital area. Less serious injuries can usually be averted by making minor adjustments to the bicycle according to research undertaken at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Team Sports
Team sports such as American football or rugby involve contact with the opposing team. Common injuries include mouth and facial injuries and upper-limb fractures, in particular of the collarbone. Stubbed fingers and pulled hamstring or calf muscles are also common; along with knee ligament damage and sprained ankles. Basketball is not a contact sport, but it is inevitable that collisions between players occur. Injuries that are most likely to occur during a game of basketball include arm and wrist fractures and cracked ribs. Achilles tendinitis, sprained ankles and bruised heels are also among the more frequent injuries that arise from basketball mishaps.
Weights
Injuries more often realized due to weight training are back injuries, particularly to the lower-back. Knee and shoulder injuries are also characteristic of the sport. A study performed by Gregg Calhoon, MS, ATC, at the University of Memphis concluded that weight-training injuries are mainly due to overuse, rather than trauma. According to bodybuilder, Dave Draper, failure to warm up adequately, sudden cooling off, improper movement and overload are the more frequent causes of weight-lifting injuries.
Fitness Walking
Less strenuous activities such as fitness walking can also cause injuries, due to walking requiring specific muscle repetition. Related injuries include sore knees, aching shins and painful feet. Blisters may also occur on the feet. The Walking Site recommends starting a fitness walking program slowly and walking on a soft surface when possible. Nordic walking is a form of fitness walking that requires the use of two ski-like poles. According to a German study, Nordic walking can be classed as a safe sport; however, a frequently occurring injury was to the thumbs, when walkers held on to the poles for too long when experiencing a fall.
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