Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Chapter 2: Safe and Smart Physical Activity

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Lesson Objectives:• List and describe some activity-related physical injuries. • List some guidelines for preventing injuries during

physical activity. • Explain how to apply the RICE formula to the treatment

of physical injuries.

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Question

Injuries can occur while playing sports or because you attempt to do too much activity. What are some common types of injuries?

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Answer

Some common types of injuries are• chronic injuries, which result from overuse or

over-training; examples include – shinsplints,– stress fractures,– tennis elbow, and– rotator cuff (shoulder) injuries.

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Answer (continued)

• acute injuries, which result from an accident that occurs while participating; examples include– spraining an ankle,– straining a muscle, and– breaking a bone.

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Answer (continued)

Another kind of injury is called microtrauma. It is• a small but unseen and unfelt injury,• caused by risky exercises,• caused by wear and tear over time, and• the cause of muscle or joint injuries later in life.

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Question

What is the difference between a strain and a sprain?

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Answer

• Sprains are injuries to ligaments (sprained ankle, for example).

• Strains are injuries to muscles and tendons (strained hamstring muscle, for example).

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Question

What is the difference between a sign and a symptom of an injury?

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Answer

• Signs are things the injured person or others can see:– bruising– swelling– bleeding

• Symptoms are felt by the injured person:– soreness– sharp pain

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Question

Injuries from physical activity occur most often to skin, bones, ligaments, and tendons. What is the difference between ligaments and tendons?

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Answer

• Ligaments are tissues that connect bones together.

• For example, knee ligaments connect the bones of the upper and lower leg (femur to the tibia and fibula) (see picture).

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Answer (continued)

• Tendons are tissues that connect muscles to bone.

• For example one tendon connects the muscle of the upper leg to the kneecap (see previous picture).

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Question

When an injury happens, it needs to be treated. For injuries such as sprains and strains, what should be done immediately following an injury?

Lesson 2.3: Physical Activity and Injury

Answer

The RICE principle should be followed:• Rest• Ice• Compression• Elevation

• end