CQ1 – How are sports injuries classified and managed? HSC PDHPE – CQ1 DP1 CQ1 – How are sports injuries classified and managed?

How are sports injuries classified and managed? Students learn about: Students learn to: ways to classify sports injuries direct and indirect soft and hard tissue overuse identify specific examples of injuries that reflect each of the classifications

1. ways to classify sports injuries

1. ways to classify sports injuries Sports injuries can be classified based on the injury’s history, cause and type. In terms of an injury’s history, there are two categories for classification: A new injury occurring for the first time to a particular body part is known as a primary injury (for example, breaking a particular finger for the first time). If an injury has arisen from a previous injury, due to poor treatment or an injury that has not fully healed, this is known as a secondary injury (for example, having a shin splint injury return after a few weeks due to poor treatment).

1. ways to classify sports injuries ## Acronym for classifying sports injuries D – DIRECT I – INDIRECT S – SOFT TISSUE H – HARD TISSUE O – OVERUSE

direct and indirect Injuries can also be classified based on the cause of the injury. An injury can be caused by an internal or external force and therefore classified as direct or indirect.

direct A direct injury is the result of an external force impacting on a person. Eg. This could be two players colliding with each other in a soccer tackle Eg. An external object coming in contact with a person, such as a hockey stick hitting a person in the shins. Either way, the impact of the external force results in an injury.

indirect An indirect injury is a result of internal forces within the body, and can be the result of poor technique, lack of fitness or poor equipment. Eg. A pulled hamstring during a netball game Eg. A back injury due to poor lifting technique.

soft and hard tissue Injuries can also be classified based on the type of injury. When an injury is sustained, the type of body tissue damaged can be classified as soft or hard.

soft tissue A soft tissue injury is related to body tissue and generally results in internal bleeding. Body tissue consists of: muscles, which are made up of cells and allow the body to move tendons, which are fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bones ligaments, which are fibrous tissue that connects bones to bones.

hard tissue A hard tissue injury is one that relates to the bones or teeth. Bones are the core component of the skeletal system. If they are injured, this will impact on the support and protection of the body.

overuse injuries An overuse injury occurs as a direct result of a repeated force on body parts, including bones, tendons and muscle. Common overuse injuries include shin splints, stress fractures, tendonitis and tennis elbow. The constant pressure can be due to poor technique which, over time, leads to an overuse injury. Eg, a shoulder injury due to poor pitching technique in softball

overuse injuries The symptoms of overuse injury often occur when there is a change in training practices (such as increasing training frequency or intensity), and the body is unable to deal with the new stresses that are placed upon it. A large number of overuse injuries results from poorly planned training programs in which the athlete is not given appropriate time to recover between intense sessions.

overuse injuries Other causes of overuse injury are use of poor technique and poor equipment. Athletes who practise and compete using poor technique or equipment place extra stress on their body. Eg. An elbow injury from poor backhand technique or the use of a heavy racquet in tennis ankle or knee pain from an inappropriate running style or from wearing inappropriate footwear.

overuse injuries Examples of injuries that result from repetitive forces are stress fractures (small cracks in the bone) and tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon).

overuse injuries

Classify the following injuries according to their cause (direct, indirect or overuse) and their type (hard tissue or soft tissue). Injury Cause Type A squash player is struck by a squash ball and sustains a bruise. A runner develops shin splints. A netball player falls over and sprains her ankle due to an uneven surface. A cricketer dislocates her finger when catching a ball. A tennis player returns the ball over the net and pulls a hamstring. A cyclist falls off his bike and breaks his arm. Two basketball players collide and bruise their heads.

Classify the following injuries according to their cause (direct, indirect or overuse) and their type (hard tissue or soft tissue). Injury Cause Type A squash player is struck by a squash ball and sustains a bruise. Direct injury Soft tissue – bruise A runner develops shin splints. Overuse injury Soft tissue – cartilage A netball player falls over and sprains her ankle due to an uneven surface. Soft tissue – sprain of ligaments A cricketer dislocates her finger when catching a ball. Hard tissue – dislocation of joint A tennis player returns the ball over the net and pulls a hamstring. Indirect injury Soft tissue – strain of muscle A cyclist falls off his bike and breaks his arm. Hard tissue – fracture of bone Two basketball players collide and bruise their heads.