Sports Injuries

What are some adverse health effects of physical activity that I should be aware of?

Acute stress from sudden forceful movement can cause strains, tears, and even fractures.

Activities that involve repetitive motions, sometimes with traumatic contact with a ground surface or ball, are associated with other musculoskeletal injuries. An extensive literature describe injuries related to jogging and running. Lower-extremity injuries appear to be the most common; of these: the knee, ankle, and foot have the highest proportions of injuries (e.g., torn cartilage, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, neuromas , and shinsplints). Injuries are also seen in excessive bicycling (e.g., ulnar nerve palsies, ischial bursitis swimming (e.g., shoulder pain), racquet sports (e.g., epicondylitis [Kamien 1990]), aerobic dancing (e.g., shin pain and plantar fasciitis), and rowing (e.g., back and knee injuries).

Severe exertion, particularly of prolonged duration and under hot or humid conditions, can lead to hyperthermia, electrolyte imbalance, and dehydration.

Anemia is reported in athletes vigorously engaged in sports such as long-distance running; hemoglobinuria can occur secondary to breakage of red blood cells during the repetitive pace of distance running, and hematuria can occur when distance running traumatizes the bladder or other structures in the genitourinary system.

Cyclists, runners, and walkers often face risk associated with travel on roadways--collisions with motor vehicles, injuries form fall secondary to uneven surfaces, and attacks by animals or humans.

Swimming increases the risk of otitis externa (swimmer’s ear). Persons with compromised coronary circulation may develop angina or acute myocardial infarction during vigorous activity.

Most musculoskeletal injuries related to physical activity are believed to be preventable by gradually working up to a desired level of activity and by avoiding excessive amounts of activity.

Serious cardiovascular events can occur with physical exertion, but the net effect of regular physical activity is a lower risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease.

This information is taken from "Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General", Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, 1996.

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