Avoid Summer Sports Injuries

Each summer doctors see countless numbers of injuries related to outdoor sports. Golf and baseball, though not high-impact sports, can leave participants with aches and pains in their joints, particularly their shoulders, elbows, knees, and backs.

Youth Baseball

Many youth, from 8 to 14 years old, are sidelined each summer from either throwing too many pitches or throwing breaking balls at too young of an age. As a result, greater injury prevention measures are being taken.

Youth baseball organizations have recently established new rules to curb injuries. Little League Inc. has implemented a new rule that limits the number of pitches a pitcher can throw per game, while USA Baseball enforces an age minimum for throwing curveballs and sliders. Shoulder and elbow injuries at such a young age can cause permanent damage that may require surgery.

Local youth baseball groups should follow these aforementioned rules, and coaches and parents should look for these signs in young players that may detect a throwing injury:

• Complaints of pain
• Disinterest in pitching
• Change in throwing form
• Tenderness and swelling in the injured area

If any of these signs are present, treatment options may include resting a player’s arm, especially from throwing, using ice to reduce soreness and inflammation, or visiting an orthopedic physician, especially if symptoms persist.

Golf

Golf injuries can occur from overuse, improper technique, or in a sudden moment during a swing.

Golfers at any competitive level can be injured. Tiger Woods has undergone two knee surgeries, and fellow professional golfer Fred Couples has battled back problems throughout his career. But the weekend golfer is more likely to suffer an injury than a professional golfer because of improper technique.

The following are tips to avoid injuries while on the links this summer:

• Elbow injuries are common. To avoid them, strengthen your forearm muscles by squeezing a tennis ball, doing wrist curls and reverse wrist curls.
• Before starting a round of golf, warm up your muscles by stretching to avoid soreness and strain after the game.
• Strengthen and condition your entire body. Being in peak physical shape is the best advice for avoiding and recovering from an injury.
• Slow your swing so that there will be less shock in the elbow and shoulder when you hit the ball and to avoid straining your back.
• Take lessons from a golf instructor to perfect your stance, swing, and technique to prevent injury.