Health Essentials - Spring 2010 - Euclid - (Page 3)

Play it safe Increased athletic training reduces the risk of injury By Helen Curak What is the first thing many athletes do immediately following practice or competition? Grab an ice pack and ice their shoulder, knee or other sore spot. Sports injuries plague more than 3.5 million athletes each year, but many could be prevented by taking a few precautions. “In the United States, there is tremendous emphasis placed on competing and practice with very little emphasis on training,” says James Williams Jr., MD, director of Cleveland Clinic orthopaedic surgery and the Cartilage Restoration Center at Euclid Hospital. Dr. Williams sees athletes at all levels—from high school to college to professional—who are bothered by similar problems. So he introduced a partner resistive flexibility program to athletes in the Cleveland area. With this technique, one athlete has a specific muscle group placed in a stretched position. This athlete then contracts the muscle while the partner resists. The result is the specific muscle group elongates, thereby improving flexibility. In comparing data from the previous year, this method greatly reduced the loss of time (from four weeks to less than a week) from practice and competition due to hamstring, quadriceps and groin strains. Dr. Williams believes this demonstrates that “if athletes train more and practice a little less, we can improve performance and reduce the risk of injury.” (call) aRe yoU IN PaIN? If you have a nagging sports injury or know someone who does, contact James Williams Jr., MD, at Cleveland Clinic Orthopaedics at Euclid Hospital, by calling 216.692.7750 or visiting euclidhospital.org. Prevention Is the Best Medicine Preventing sports injuries can be done in four steps: 1. Proper sport-specific training. Include a warm-up and warm-down every time. 2. Use of correct technique. Incorrect technique increases your risk for injury. 3. Proper equipment. Athletes should wear appropriate and properly fitted protective equipment, such as pads and helmets. 4. Recognize those at high risk. Children, middle-aged athletes and women are particularly vulnerable to becoming injured. By following these four steps, athletes—from weekend warriors to professionals—can improve performance, reduce the risk of injury and stay focused on their goals. eUclIdHoSPItal.oRG HealtH eSSeNtIalS 3 http://www.euclidhospital.org http://www.euclidhospital.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Health Essentials - Spring 2010 - Euclid

Health Essentials - Spring 2010 - Euclid
Contents
A Message from the President of Euclid Hospital
When It Comes to Sports, Are You Playing It Safe?
Her Father’s Fight
The Neuro Day Hospital Program is Your Path to Recovery
Don’t Miss Our Upcoming Health Care Events

Health Essentials - Spring 2010 - Euclid