Sport activity may, in addition to strengthening the body, sometimes also be a strain on your body. Improper training or excessive training increases the risk of damage to muscles, joints and bones. There may be various types of damage related to sports.

 

The most common sport injuries are:

There are certain factors that increase the risk of injury. In the early season of a particular sport is often seen an elevated level of injuries. If the sport season is started up with excessive activity the untrained muscles, tendon and joints may be overloaded resulting in injuries. The same is seen in untrained persons and persons starting up after a period of convalescing.

Even if you are in good shape injuries may occur. A switch from one sport to another which strain the muscles differently may cause injuries

Many injuries occur as a result of insufficient warming up.

Even with proper training and warming up the risk of injury can never be fully excluded.

 

Having been injured during sport activity it is important to take it easy and not attempt to get back too soon. Sprain, bone and muscle injuries can worsen significantly with continued sports activity. Scratches and smaller cuts can often be bandaged and the sport can be resumed.
 
Most sports injuries can be treated by the RICE principle (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) (see also treatment for the individual injuries). If pain persists beyond a few days it's a good idea to consult a doctor for a thorough assessment of the injury.
 
Injuries involving joints and severe pain and immediate swelling should be taken to a doctor to exclude serious damage to joints, muscles or tendons. Audible bursts , dislocations or fractures require immediate emergency treatment.
 
Damage to joints, bones and muscles can be diagnosed by X-ray, CT, MRI and/or ultrasound examinations. In some cases the doctor will have to perform an arthroscopy using a endoscope (a viewing tube) to make the diagnosis.

 

Many sports injuries require a period of rehabilitation of muscles and joints after the injury has healed up.
 
Unfortunately it can be necessary to stop with a sport, if you suffer the same injury repeatedly. The damaged tissue will often be a bit weaker after it has grown together, and the risk of the same injury is therefore increased. Damage to joints increases risk of later development of osteoarthritis (arthrose).