Injuries and First Aid The aim of this

Injuries and First Aid The aim of this lesson is to learn about common sporting injuries and prevention techniques

What: Consider how injuries are caused and the type of injury that results. Consider the precautions that can be taken to prevent injuries occuring How: Powerpoint Discussion Why: To improve your knowledge of injuries for real life situations and your GCSE exam.

The chance of getting injured while taking part in physical activity are quite high and most performers get injured at some time. Injury prevention should be paramount and all precautions should be taken to avoid and minimise the risk of injury.

Technique and safe practice: Correct technique should be used at all times. Poor technique can result in injury to performer and opponent. These injuries are considered to be in the categories of internally and externally caused injuries.

Internally caused injuries: These are injuries where a performer is solely responsible. Overuse injuries. Can be caused by training or performing too much. Can include stress fractures and muscle and tendon injuries. Tennis players can suffer from tennis elbow and many footballers suffer cartilage damage. Stress fractures: a brake in the bone caused by repeated application of a heavy load or constant pounding on a hard surface such as by running. Tennis elbow: a painful injury or inflammation of the tendon attached to the elbow joint.

Sudden injuries The strain put on the body owing to lots of stretching, twisting and turning, often resulting in injuries such as hamstring pulls.

Externally caused injuries Caused by factors other than the performer themselves, such as equipment, opponent and playing conditions. § Foul play – usually involves opponents and these types of injuries can often be quite serious. This is why there are rules to stop them happening. § Impact injuries – Physical impact is permitted within the rules of many sports (rugby, hockey, football) and also happens in many others (basketball). There can also be contact with equipment, (footy boots, hockey sticks, vaulting boxes) and impact with the playing surface itself.

Equipment / clothing Faulty or damaged equipment. Badly fitting or inappropriate clothing. Accidents Whatever precautions are in place, there will unfortunately always be some accidents resulting in injury!

Precautions Carry out a risk assessment and follow findings. Carry out a warm up before exercise. Follow (& enforce) rules.

How to Avoid overuse Injuries § Develop correct technique: Poor long distance running technique leads to back injuries. § Choose kit and equipment carefully, especially footwear. § Allow enough time for full recovery between training sessions and/or events. • Follow heavy training days with light days. As your body adapts to training it recovers, if you don’t recover you’ll gain no training adaptation.

How to avoid sudden Injuries § Consider the event itself: § Make sure you play at the right level for you. It can be dangerous to play against people who are bigger, stronger or more skilful. • Know the rules of the sport and obey them. They were developed to protect you as well as test your skill. Pay attention to advice or warnings given by coaches, referees and other officials.

What: Be aware of the action to take if an accident or emergency occurs. Have a knowledge of injuries associated with different activities. Be aware of particular injuries and the actions that may be taken. How: Powerpoint Discussion Why: To improve your knowledge of injuries for real life situations and your GCSE exam.

HEAD INJURIES § You should place the person in the coma position making sure they can breathe easily – check nose and mouth for blockages – if they are not breathing you will need to follow CPR.

Concussion can occur. Apparent from loss of consciousness, very relaxed limbs, weak pulse, slow/shalllow breathing, dilated pupils or bleeding from the ears. Get expert help immediately Dilated – enlarged, expanded or widened.

Bone and Joint Injuries Signs and Symptoms: § A fracture is a break or § The casualty may have heard or felt a snap. crack in a bone. In a § Pain and tenderness SIMPLE or CLOSED around the injury. fracture the skin is not broken. In an OPEN or § The casualty cant move COMPOUND fracture the part normally. the skin is damaged too. § Swelling and bruising occur. § The limb may look deformed and twisted. Fractured bones:

Types of Fractures § There are several types of fracture, each differing due to the age of the bone and the type of impact, blow or pressure placed on it. § Greenstick: A pressure or impact buckles or bends a bone but only partially breaks it. This fracture is common in the developing bones of young children, whose bones are quite springy.

§ Closed fractures are more common and mean that the skin isn't broken § Open fractures involve the broken end of the bone coming through the skin § All fractures usually cause bruising and swelling because of associated damage to surrounding blood vessels § They are also very painful because nerves within the bone are damaged § A stress fracture is a thin crack in a bone, which can be caused by overuse and continuous stress to the bone. These are common in the legs of runners and soldiers. Stress fractures are the only form of overuse bone injury, all other fractures are sudden § Any suspected fracture should be x-rayed

SOFT TISSUE INJURIES § Soft tissue is basically anything that isn't bone! So muscles, ligaments, tendons, skin, cartilage etc. Soft tissue injuries can be either overuse or sudden. They can also be open or closed § Open injuries are when the skin is broken through cuts, grazes etc § Closed injuries happen when the skin stays intact, and the injury is underneath the skin. § EXAMPLES § Sprains - ligament damage. Ligaments attach bones to bones and keep a joint together. Sprains can occur as a result of a violent twisting or side-ways movement to the joint (such as when you roll the ankle over and sprain it)

SOFT TISSUE INJURIES (CONT) § Strains - muscle damage. These are also known as pulled muscles and can vary in severity with some only causing minor damage and other tearing the whole muscle (a rupture)! These are usually caused by overstretching. The hamstrings are the most common example § Bruising - bleeding underneath the skin. This usually happens as a result of an impact such as being hit with a cricket ball

SOFT TISSUE INJURIES (CONT) § Dislocations - a bone is pulled away from the normal joint position. The most common example is the shoulder, where the humerus (arm bone) is pulled out of the socket. This can cause damage to the surrounding soft tissues and must be scanned with an MRI before being repositioned

SOFT TISSUE INJURIES (CONT) § Cartilage tears cartilage within the knee is most commonly injured. This happens through violent twisting or impacts which force the knee out of line

Hypothermia A rapid cooling of the body when the temperature drops very quickly. If the person is wearing wet clothing remove these immediately and wrap them in dry clothing or blankets.

Sprain – the overstretching or tearing of ligaments at a joint. Strain – the overstretching of a muscle rather than a joint

RICE TREATMENT § For joint and muscle injuries including sprains, strains, cramp, dislocations and pulled muscles: §R §I §C §E - REST ICE COMPRESSION ELEVATION

Rest – Ice – stop straight away reduces swelling and relieves pain Compression – Bandage or tape affected to give support and pressure. (Don’t over tighten as this could restrict blood flow!) Elevation – Raise injured body part to decrease circulation to the area and drain away any other fluids.

SHOCK § 2 Types of shock – § Primary shock – faintness which comes on straight after an emotional or traumatic event – passes quite quickly with reassurance an keeping warm. § True shock – far more serious. This comes about after a serious injury e. g. a bad cut or fracture. The person will be close to collapse, grey in colour and probably shaking. It is essential that they are treated in hospital. Call an ambulance immediately.

Cuts These can vary in size and seriousness. However all cuts should be treated in order to avoid possible infection. Clean and dress cut with a plaster for small cuts and a bandage for larger ones.

GENERAL RULES TO FOLLOW § Do not move the person unless you are sure what the injury is, § If they are unconscious or have been you must phone an ambulance as they must be checked. § Look at the damaged area and see if there any signs of injury – if it is obvious , cuts or wounds then ask if they can move the area of injury and stop the bleeding- by pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. § If there is no cut talk to the person? – does it hurt, can you move it? Then look for swellings, misshapen areas or tenderness.

§ If they feel able to stand move on their own they should decide if they are able to continue – any doubts at all Stop. Playing on can really aggravate what was a non serious injury. § If you have had problems going through these stages then you must get expert help straight away – big difference between first aid and medical treatment.

Key Terms § Stress fractures – a break in the bone caused by repeated application of a heavy load or constant pounding on a surface, such as running § Tennis Elbow – a painful injury or inflammation of the tendon attached to the elbow joint § Dilated – enlarged, expanded or widened. § Sprains – the overstretching or tearing of ligaments at a joint § Strains – the overstretching of a muscle, rather than a joint.