Sex isn’t the only activity in which the concept of “safer” has caught on. “Safer sports” represents a new era of fitness for students of the 90s who care about preventing injuries while having fun, competing, losing weight, and engaging in athletic activities.

Of the more than 10 million sports injuries that occur annually, 70 percent are to the 24-year-old and under population, placing college students at higher risk than other segments of the population for sustaining athletic injuries.

There is evidence that suggests the rate of sports injuries has declined in the United States even though the total number of sports injuries has increased. How is that? Because more people, in fact, more than half the adult population, exercise on a regular basis—double the percent from a decade ago. While efforts to make sports safer—better equipment, training, coaching, officiating—have succeeded in reducing injuries, unorganized sports such as pickup softball and basketball, sandlot football and volleyball, skateboarding and street hockey produce twice as many injuries as organized sports.

A recent check with both the NIU Office of Campus Recreation and X-ray unit of the University Health Service showed the most common athletic injuries among NIU students to be jammed fingers, sprained ankles, and dislocated joints.

Furthermore, the informal survey revealed basketball, volleyball, and softball to be the most common sports in which students are injured. Many peole are familiar with the RICE method of treatment (rest, ice, compression, elevation) after the occurrence of an injury. However, fewer people are familiar with action that can be taken to minimize or prevent injuries.

Lack of preparation is a major contributor to athletic injury. Getting in and out of cars or buses is not enough preparation for softball, basketball, volleyball, or the myriad of sports activities in which individuals engage. Take a cue from professional sports teams: they’ve all worked at getting in condition during the off-season by improving their cardiovascular system, increasing flexibility, building muscular endurance, and developing muscular strength.

Warming up muscles is essential to injury prevention. Therefore, even if it’s a backyard game, do about 10 minutes of activity that mimics the sport. Warmed-up muscles are soft, pliable, and more resistant to injury. Stretch the muscles used most in your chosen sport. Never stretch a cold muscle.

Remember, pitchers warm up in the bullpen before approaching the mound, batters prepare by swinging a succession of heavier bats before they’re at bat, football players do seemingly endless calisthenics prior to the start of the game.

The best defense against ankle injuries, common to many of the activities mentioned, is to build up muscles in the lower leg. Furthermore, strengthening the calf muscles can prevent Achilles tendon injuries. While prevention for finger and fingertip injuries is less exact, developing a high level of muscle strength and conditioning can prevent injuries to this extremity, a risk which increases with the degree of contact.

Tape or padding can protect a finger that has previously been injured. Adequate overall strength and muscle tone can prevent knee and shoulder dislocations. Protective equipment such as knee and shoulder pads are recommended for participation in contact sports. Strapping or elastic wraps may protect against re-injury. Many individuals with knees and shoulder dislocations have a prior history with them.

These pointers have been intended to make sports activities safer and to reduce “down” time from injury. There is no sport that is free from risk. However, adequate conditioning, preparation, equipment, coaching, and officiating can mean the difference between “safer sports” and injury.

For evaluation and treatment of sports-related injuries as well as information about preventive and rehabilitative aspects of injury, contact the University Health Service’s Sports Medicine Clinic or Health Enhancement Services.