Critical Days of Summer Week 2: Practicing safe summer sports Published May 27, 2014 By 17th Training Wing Safety Office GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Part of being an Airman means putting service before self - as stated in the Air Force core values. In order to meet this obligation, Airmen need to be ready to fly, fight and win at all times, mentally and physically. This readiness extends to all areas of an Airman's life including recreation. If not properly prepared for participation in summer sports, injuries may occur and sideline the sportsman, making it impossible to put service before self. The following statistics illustrate the costs incurred from sports relate injuries. Air Force Summer Losses: June - September 2009-2013 - 2,468 sports injuries on-duty costing $5,087,459. - 1,628 sports injuries off-duty costing $11,742,866. Civilian population risk data: - More than 10,000 people receive treatment in emergency departments from sports, recreation and exercise each year. - Approximately 715,000 sports and recreation injuries occur each year in school settings alone. Each sport has its own risks, which can be mitigated by using risk management techniques. According to National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a division of the Consumer Products Safety Commission, (http://www.pointssports.com/the-top-ten-injury-prone-summer-sports/) statistics for 2012, basketball has become the single most accident and injury-prone summer activity with 569,746 injuries; biking comes in second with 556,660. The most common basketball injuries are: · Ankle sprains · Jammed fingers · Knee injuries · Deep thigh bruising · Facial cuts · Foot fractures Some tips for using risk management and preventing these injuries are: · Maintain proper fitness - injury rates are higher in athletes who have not adequately prepared physically. · After a period of inactivity, progress gradually back to full-contact basketball through activities such as aerobic conditioning, strength training and agility training. · Avoid overuse injuries. Many sports medicine specialists believe that it is beneficial to take at least one season off each year. Try to avoid the pressure that is now exerted on many young athletes to over-train. Listen to your body and decrease training time and intensity if pain or discomfort develops. This will reduce the risk of injury and help avoid "burn-out." · Talk with coach and/or athletic trainer about an anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention program and incorporating the training principles into team warm-ups. · The athlete should return to play only when clearance is granted by a health care professional. Another resource for basketball injury prevention: http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/basketball-injury-prevention.aspx Then there is the next most injury-prone summer activity; biking. According to the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, common biking injuries include: tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, abrasions, fractures, sprains, strains and concussions. To prevent these injuries, start with proper equipment, such as a helmet, and proper preparation. For details, visit: http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/cycling-injury-prevention.aspx http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sports-specific/cycling-injuries/prevention Aside from basketball and biking, other summer activities have the potential for serious injury. Here's an example of a severe injury that caused an Airman to be on convalescent leave for a month. The Airman participated in a Tough Mudder race that was 12 miles long with 24 obstacles and fell four feet to the ground while attempting to negotiate the last obstacle. The Airman was wearing a helmet that protected his head but he broke his right leg in two places. While there may not have been anything the Airman could have done to prevent this injury, had he not been wearing a helmet, the outcome would have been tragic. Remember to practice good risk management and safety practices this summer to avoid injury and stay ready. The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Goodfellow Air Force Base, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external Website, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Air Force does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of the Website.
