Common Injuries Every Water Sports Enthusiast Should Be Aware of
Are you ready to hit the water and have fun on your wakeboard or in your boat? Just because you have the latest gear, it doesn’t mean you’re adequately prepared. Water sports injuries are more likely to affect those who are out of shape or lack experience. Adequate warm-up, preseason conditioning, proper hydration, and stretching are all an integral part of injury prevention.
Whether we’re talking about swimming, surfing, water skiing, or wakeboarding, water sports present relative dangers. Each year, millions of people get injured or lose their lives while enjoying the warm weather. Speeding and lack of experience, for instance, are responsible for 96 percent of wave-runner accidents. Recreational boating activities killed 651 people and injured another 3,000 in 2012 alone.
Let’s take a look at the most common water sports injuries you should be aware of”
ACL Injuries
This is by far the most common injury among water sports athletes. It accounts for over 40 percent of the ligament damage resulting from sports activities. Collision, twisting, incorrect landing, and stopping suddenly are often the culprits.
ACL injuries affect the knee joint. They are more likely to occur in women due to the differences in neuromuscular control, muscular strength, and physical conditioning. Sufferers experience pain and swelling, discomfort while walking, loss of mobility, and tenderness.
Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need surgical or non-surgical treatment. Physical therapy can restore knee function and strengthen the muscles surrounding this joint. Your physiotherapist may also recommend bracing and at-home exercises to improve your range of motion.
Ankle Injuries
This type of injury is common among water skiers because they feet are strapped into the bindings on the skis. Additionally, many skiers are either out of shape or inexperienced, so they lack physical conditioning.
Beware of ankle sprains, fractures, and Achilles tendon injuries. Sometimes, it takes up to 15 months before you can return to physical activity. The best thing you can do is to prevent injuries in the first place. Work with a personal trainer to get in shape before hitting the water.
Concussions
Jet skiing and wakeboarding enthusiasts are particularly at risk for concussions. This type of injury causes trauma to the brain, leading to vision loss, confusion, slurred speech, and memory problems.
The best way to prevent a concussion is to wear protective equipment. A helmet, for instance, could save your life. Make sure you choose one that’s specially designed for your sport of choice. If you’re into wakeboarding, don’t wear a helmet designed for motocross or cycling.
Woman with ankle pain holding her aching leg – body pain concept
