In recent years, increasing numbers of people of all ages have been heeding health professionals' advice to become active in order to achieve the health benefits exercise offers. For some people - particularly those who overdo or who don't properly train or warm up - the benefits may come at a price: sports injuries. In addition the stress of some sports may cause permanent long-term injuries. Other sports injuries occur to athlete's who participate in team sports under the direction of an athletic trainer or coach.

Most sports injuries are treated effectively, and most people who suffer these injuries return to a satisfying level of physical activity after an injury. However, for those who suffer serious or permanent damage or harm the event may change their quality of life dramatically.

The term "sports injury", in the broadest sense, refers to the kinds of injuries that most commonly occur during sports or exercise. Some sports injuries result from accidents; others are due to poor training practices, improper equipment, and lack of conditioning, or insufficient body warming stretching.

Although virtually any part of the body can be injured during sports or exercise, the term is usually reserved for injuries that involve the musculoskeletal system, which includes the muscles, bones, and associated tissues like cartilage or the head. The following are some of the most common sports injuries:

Sprains and Strains

A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament, the band of connective tissues that joins the end of one bone with another. Sprains are caused by trauma such as a fall or blow to the body that knocks a joint out of position and, in the worst case, ruptures the supporting ligaments. Sprains can range from first degree (minimally stretched ligament) to third degree (a complete tear).

A strain is a twist, pull, or tear of a muscle or tendon, a cord of tissue connecting muscle to bone. It is an acute, noncontact injury that results from overstretching or over contraction. Symptoms of a strain include pain, muscle spasm, and loss of strength. It may be hard to tell the difference between mild and moderate strains, however severe strains that are not treated professionally can cause damage and loss of function.

Knee Injuries

The knee is the most commonly injured joint. Each year, more than 5.5 million people visit orthopaedic surgeons for knee problems. Knee injuries can range from mild to severe. More severe injuries include bone bruises or damage to the cartilage or ligaments. Knee injuries can result from a blow to or twist of the knee; from improper landing after a jump; or from running too hard, too much, or without proper warm-up.

Compartment Syndrome

In many parts of the body, muscles (along with the nerves and blood vessels that run alongside and through them) are enclosed in a "compartment" formed of a tough membrane called fascia. When muscles become swollen, they can fill the compartment to capacity, causing interference with nerves and blood vessels as well as damage to the muscles themselves. The resulting painful condition is referred to as compartment syndrome.

Compartment syndrome may be caused by a one-time traumatic injury (acute compartment syndrome), such as a fractured bone or a hard blow to the thigh, by repeated hard blows (depending upon the sport), or by ongoing overuse (chronic exertional compartment syndrome), which may occur, for example, in long-distance running.

Fractures

A fracture is a break in the bone that can occur from either a quick, one-time injury to the bone (acute fracture) or from repeated stress to the bone over time (stress fracture). Acute fractures can be simple (a clean break with little damage to the surrounding tissue) or compound (a break in which the bone pierces the skin with little damage to the surrounding tissue). Most acute fractures are emergencies. One that breaks the skin is especially dangerous because there is a high risk of infection.

Dislocations

When the two bones that come together to form a joint become separated, the joint is described as being dislocated. Contact sports such as football and basketball, as well as high-impact sports and other sports that can result in excessive stretching or falling, cause the majority of dislocations. A dislocated joint is an emergency situation that requires medical treatment.

Head Injuries

Generally, there are three serious conditions that can occur if an athlete suffers a head injury: subdural hematoma, second-impact syndrome, and chronic post concussion syndrome. Subdural hematoma is the most common cause of death in athletes. It can occur after even a mild head injury and may develop slowly over several days to a week. Second-impact syndrome is characterized by brain swelling and intracranial pressure that occurs when an athlete sustains a second concussion while still symptomatic from an initial head injury. Although rare, this second injury almost always results in permanent brain injury or death. Athletes with chronic post concussion syndrome may experience blurred vision, headaches, and lack of concentration and balance for months after the initial head injury.

All of the above types of injuries can be classified as either acute or chronic. There are differences between acute and chronic injuries. Acute injuries, such as a sprained ankle, strained back, or fractured hand, occur suddenly during activity. Signs of an acute injury include the following:

• Sudden
• Swelling
• Inability to place weight on a lower limb
• Extreme tenderness in an upper limb
• Inability to move a joint through its full range of motion
• Extreme limb weakness
• Visible dislocation or break of a bone

Chronic injuries however usually result from overusing a specific area of the body while playing a sport or even from exercising over a long period. The following are signs of a chronic injury:

• Pain when performing an activity
• A dull ache when at rest
• Extreme swelling

Whether an injury is acute or chronic, individuals should not try and "work through" the pain of an injury. When an an athlete experiences pain from a particular movement or activity continuing that activity generally only causes further harm. Many sports injuries require prompt medical and professional advice. If the injuries are serious enough and they are caused due to the negligence of another party or because of improper direction by a certified athletic trainer or coach the injured party should consult with legal counsel about the situation. This also applies with regard to the use of certain athletic equipment.

Although relatively few judicial opinions have concerned litigation between athletic trainers and competitive athletes, the legal system has recognized that a duty exists between the parties. An athletic trainer's responsibility, similar to that of a team physician, is to protect the health and safety of all the athletes. In the case of an athletic trainer who is treating an athlete with an injury, several legal duties exist as a result of the athletic trainer/athlete relationship.