- By Prerna Targhotra
- Sat, 30 Nov 2024 04:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Winter sports are a great way to keep younger athletes active during the cold season. Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and ice hockey are exhilarating sports but come with a high risk for injury, especially among children and teenagers who are still growing and more prone to certain injuries. Prevention and treatment strategies are important in their care.
In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Ashis Acharya, Senior Consultant Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine unit, Sir Gangaram Hospital New-Delhi explained that the most common winter sports injuries are strains, fractures, concussions, and pulls. The majority of the injuries are due to falls, collisions, or poor techniques, especially in specific sports like skiing and snowboarding. Ice hockey and figure skating report more head and upper-body trauma.
Common Winter Sports Injuries
Sprains and Strains: Result from the overstretching and tearing of muscles and ligaments, and occur most frequently around knees and ankles in snowboarding.
Fractures: Most of the falls in both ice skating and skiing also cause fractured bones, mainly in the arms and wrists.
Concussions: Injuries to the head, especially concussions, pose a serious risk, particularly in sports like hockey, skiing, or snowboarding where falls or collisions are common.
Prevention Of Winter Sports Injuries
Prevention in terms of winter sports injuries requires proper training, proper equipment, and adherence to safety protocols. Key tips to minimize injury risk for young athletes include the following:
1. Warm-Up and Stretch: During the cold season the musculature of the body becomes rigid; hence, it may easily get injured, because of that reason, a proper warm-up session, accompanied by stretches and light exercises, is highly essential to get the body ready for physical exertion.
2. Protective Equipment: Have young athletes wear appropriate, well-fitting protective gear, including helmets, wrist guards, knee guards and footwear. Helmets are required in skiing, snowboarding, and hockey.
Winter Sports Injuries (Image Credits: Canva)
3. Take Lessons: Training is essential when it comes to winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. Professional training helps young athletes learn the proper techniques while performing and hence reduces falls and injury chances.
4. Observe Safety Precautions: Teaching a young person the rules of their sport and telling them about the importance of being vigilant on the slopes or on the ice has a dampening effect on the risk taken. Follow posted safety instructions.
5. Stay Hydrated: Even with cold weather, dehydration may be one more reason for muscles to get tired, which makes them prone to injury. Hence, it is pivotal that a young athlete keeps drinking ample amounts of water while taking part in winter sports.
Winter Sports Injuries-Treatment
In case of any injury, consulting a sports medicine specialist is advisable for early treatment. The basic steps of treatment include:
Rest and Ice: These are mainstays for treatment in most sprains and strains, as resting the injured area and applying ice can reduce pain and swelling.
Medical Attention: Fractures and concussions of a more serious nature do require immediate medical attention. The extent of the injury needs to be seen and diagnosed by an orthopaedic specialist who can recommend the best treatment option for it.
Winter sports bring lots of benefits but also carry some risks for youth athletes. Pay due attention to safety: use protective gear and take professional lessons. Injuries can be dramatically reduced. And when they do occur, early and appropriate treatment will expedite recovery and pave the way to safely enjoying winter sports again for children and teenagers.