What are the most common types of injuries among athletes?

2 years back Nara 11 minutes reading time

Injuries are a constant in the world of sports, affecting both professional and amateur athletes.

Each sport has its own peculiarities and, with them, comes a set of specific injuries.

Understanding the most common types not only helps with prevention, but also improves response to treatment and recovery, ensuring a safer return to physical activity.

Therefore, in this text, we will explore the most common injuries, detailing their causes, symptoms, treatments and how to avoid them.

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1. Sprains and Strains: The Mechanics of Movement

Among the most common types of injuries, sprains and strains are the most common, especially in sports that require rapid movements and sudden changes of direction, such as soccer, basketball and tennis.

Sprains occur when ligaments are strained beyond their normal capacity, resulting in stretching or tearing.

Strains, on the other hand, involve muscles and tendons, which can also be stretched or torn.

The ankle is one of the areas most susceptible to sprains, especially in high-intensity sports.

This is because the ankle bears most of the body's weight, and any misstep can result in injury.

Ankle sprains are estimated to account for about 15% to 30% of all sports injuries, according to the Journal of Athletic Training.

So, preventing sprains and strains starts with strengthening your muscles and doing balance exercises.

These exercises help stabilize your joints, reducing the likelihood of injury.

In case of injury, immediate treatment with RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is crucial to minimize damage and speed recovery.

2. Muscle Injuries: The Force That Can Break

Muscle injuries are another common type of injury that affects athletes across a variety of sports.

In fact, especially those that involve bursts of speed and strength, such as athletics and weightlifting.

However, they can range from a slight strain to a complete rupture of the muscle, depending on the intensity of the activity and the athlete's preparation.

The hamstring muscles, located at the back of the thigh, are often injured in sports such as soccer and running.

These injuries occur when the muscle is forced to stretch rapidly beyond its normal capacity, resulting in acute pain and, in some cases, temporary disability.

Recovery can be long and requires intensive physical therapy to restore muscle strength and flexibility.

According to a study by British Journal of Sports Medicine, muscle injuries account for up to 37% of all injuries in elite athletes.

This data highlights the importance of adequate physical conditioning and personalized prevention programs, which include muscle strengthening exercises and stretching specific to the sport.

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3. Stress Fractures: The Invisible Wear and Tear

Stress fractures are small cracks in bones caused by overload and overuse, and are particularly common in athletes involved in impact sports such as running, gymnastics, and dance.

Unlike an acute fracture, which occurs due to immediate trauma, stress fractures develop gradually, often going unnoticed until the pain becomes unbearable.

The bones of the feet and legs are most affected by this type of injury. Long-distance runners, in particular, are at high risk due to the continuous impact they experience with the ground.

A study published in the Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy indicated that approximately 201% of elite female runners experience stress fractures over the course of their careers, often due to lack of adequate rest and overtraining.

Treatment mainly involves rest, allowing the bone to heal naturally.

In more severe cases, immobilization or even surgery may be necessary to ensure a full recovery.

Prevention is key, including varying training routines, wearing appropriate footwear, and incorporating rest days into your exercise program.

4. Tendonitis: The Enemy of Repetitive Movement

Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons, which are the structures that connect muscles to bones.

This condition is extremely common in sports that involve repetitive motions, such as tennis, golf, and swimming, where the same muscle groups are used repeatedly, causing irritation to the tendons.

Tennis elbow, a form of tendonitis, is particularly prevalent in athletes who play racket sports.

Repetitive arm movement can cause microtrauma to the tendon, leading to inflammation and persistent pain.

Patellar tendonitis, common in basketball and volleyball players, affects the tendon that connects the kneecap to the tibia, often resulting in pain below the knee.

Preventing tendonitis involves strengthening muscles and tendons, as well as practicing warm-up and stretching techniques before training.

Data from National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases show that tendonitis is responsible for up to 15% of sports injuries in amateur and professional athletes.

Treatment includes rest, physical therapy, and, in some cases, corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.

5. Bruises: The Marks of Impact

Contusions, or bruises, are caused by direct impacts that result in damage to underlying tissues without fracturing the bone.

Although relatively minor injuries, contusions can be painful and temporarily limit an athlete's ability to compete, depending on the location and severity of the impact.

Contact sports such as American football, rugby, and martial arts have a high incidence of concussions.

During a game of American football, for example, a player may suffer several injuries over the course of a single match, whether from collisions with other players or from falls to the ground.

Bruises are usually treated with rest, ice application, and elevation of the affected area to reduce swelling.

In cases where there is a large accumulation of blood in the tissues, known as a hematoma, a medical procedure may be necessary to drain the accumulated fluid.

Preventing injuries depends on using proper protective equipment and practicing safe playing techniques.

6. Knee Injuries: The Complexity of the Joint

Knee injuries are among the most feared by athletes, mainly due to the complexity of this joint, which supports a large part of the body weight and is essential for mobility.

Among the most common injuries are anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, meniscus injuries and patellofemoral syndrome.

An ACL tear, in particular, is a serious injury that can sideline an athlete for months, requiring surgery and intensive rehabilitation.

This injury is common in sports such as football, basketball, and skiing, where sudden movements, such as quick cuts and poor landings, put strain on the knee.

Studies indicate that female athletes are more prone to ACL injuries due to biomechanical and hormonal differences.

Recovery can be long and even after rehabilitation there is a risk of recurrence.

While prevention includes knee strengthening and stability training, as well as proper jumping and landing techniques.

7. Shoulder Injuries: The Vulnerability of Mobility

The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, but this mobility also makes it susceptible to injury.

Dislocations, rotator cuff injuries, and bursitis are common in sports that involve overhead movements, such as swimming, tennis, and baseball.

Shoulder dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus is forced out of the glenoid cavity, usually after a fall or direct impact.

Rotator cuff injuries, which involves the muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder, are common in swimmers and baseball players.

Bursitis, an inflammation of the bursae (small sacs of fluid that cushion the joint), can occur due to overuse of the shoulder.

Preventing shoulder injuries involves strengthening the shoulder and trunk muscles, as well as practicing proper techniques to avoid overloading.

Recovery can range from a few weeks for minor injuries to months of rehabilitation for more serious injuries.

Injury	Description	Most Affected Sports
Sprains and Strains	Stretching or tearing of ligaments, muscles, or tendons	Football, basketball, tennis
Muscle Injuries	Stretches or tears of muscle fibers	Athletics, weightlifting

What are the impacts of injuries on athletes' careers?

Injuries are more than just a temporary obstacle; for many athletes, they can mean the end of a promising career.

The severity of an injury, recovery time, and the athlete's ability to return to their previous level of performance are critical factors that determine the impact on a career.

In some cases, even after recovery, the athlete's confidence and ability may be compromised, resulting in a decline in performance or even early retirement.

For example, a well-known example is that of Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, the famous football “Phenomenon”.

Ronaldo has suffered several serious injuries throughout his career, including two ruptures of the patellar tendon, which have kept him off the pitch for long periods.

Although he managed to return to football and even excel in international competitions, including the 2002 World Cup, injuries left permanent marks on his mobility and speed, leading to an early retirement in 2011.

Another example is Derrick Rose, former NBA MVP, whose career was profoundly affected by a series of knee injuries.

Rose, who emerged as one of the league's most promising players, saw his career repeatedly cut short by anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and other related complications.

Despite having continued to play in the NBA, He never regained the level of performance that led him to be considered the league's best player in 2011.

These examples illustrate how injuries can not only interrupt, but redefine an athlete's career.

To reflect

The pressure to return to sport often leads to hasty decisions, where the athlete may not be fully recovered, increasing the risk of new injuries and further compromising their career.

Furthermore, we should not underestimate the psychological impact of these injuries. Many athletes face mental challenges significant in dealing with the uncertainty of their future and the loss of their physical capabilities.

Prevention is therefore fundamental not only for the physical health of athletes, but also for the longevity of their careers.

Training programs focused on strengthening, flexibility, and balance, along with a thoughtful approach to return to activity after injury, are essential to minimize the risk of recurrent injuries and ensure athletes can reach their full potential without compromise.

Table

Injury	Description	Most Affected Sports
Sprains and Strains	Stretching or tearing of ligaments, muscles, or tendons	Football, basketball, tennis
Muscle Injuries	Stretches or tears of muscle fibers	Athletics, weightlifting
Stress Fractures	Small cracks in the bones due to overuse	Running, gymnastics, dancing
Tendinitis	Inflammation of the tendons due to repetitive movements	Tennis, swimming, golf
Bruises	Tissue damage from direct impacts	American football, rugby, martial arts
Knee Injuries	Ligament rupture, meniscus injuries	Football, basketball, skiing
Shoulder Injuries	Dislocations, rotator cuff injuries, bursitis	Swimming, baseball, tennis

Injuries are part of sport, but the way we manage it can determine the success or failure of a career.

Athletes who understand the importance of prevention, proper treatment, and complete recovery are more likely to continue in their sports, achieving high levels of performance, and prolonging their careers.

The impact of injuries, therefore, goes far beyond physical pain, profoundly affecting an athlete's trajectory and legacy.