How to Prevent Basketball Injuries

It is fun playing basketball. As luck would have it, every good thing comes with a negative and playing basketball includes finding ways to prevent injury. It is not only professional basketball players who have to deal with basketball injuries. The pick up game basketball player also has to contend with basketball injuries. Most of these are preventable by being careful with your own health.

1. The Basketball Environment

It is important to properly choose the basketball playing court. Avoid playing in basketball courts whose boundary lines are close to structures like walls, water fountains etc. If possible, play in a court whose goals and the walls behind them are padded.

Playing in extreme weather like heat or cold is dangerous to the basketball player as it may lead to heat stroke or dehydration. If you do insist on this make sure that you take adequate sports drinks and proper sports nutrition. Unfortunately, even this might not be enough.

Choose outdoor courts that are free of rocks, holes and other hazards. Nothing is worse than a scrape on a court that has debris on it.

2. Preparing For the Game

Physical fitness is mandatory. A visit to the gym once in a while will help you deal with muscle strains and exhaustion. It would be foolhardy to avoid bodybuilding just because you are a weekend basketball player. Get your trainer to help you with weight training exercises. You will be physically fit for your game.

Cold muscles are prone to injury. Warm up before your game. It is not childish to do stretch exercises. I used to wonder what the stationary cycle was doing behind the Celtics bench. The players wish to keep their muscles warm.

It seems funny to say this, but a good healthy nutritious diet is also important in preventing injuries. Times have changed and it is now possible to get nutrition in your system by taking sports supplements and sports drinks. Proper sports nutrition does help in avoiding basketball injuries.

3. Dressing for the Basketball Game

You are what you dress like and wearing the wrong attire to a basketball game will lead to injury.

Your basketball shoes should fit snugly, offer support and be non-skid. You are probably going to be doing a lot of running and jumping and you do not need your shoes coming off at the wrong time. Protective knee and elbow pads will protect you from those painful bruises and abrasions. With all the elbowing and hitting going on in a basketball match, using a mouth guard should help you keep your teeth until your old age.

The most prevalent basketball injury is ankle injuries. Wearing ankle supports is during a basketball game is very important. Proper weight training will go a long way in preparing your body for the tough basketball games.

Jewellery and chains have no place in a basketball game. They can cause injury both to you and the other players. Chewing gum falls in the same category and can lead to serious injury.

All in all, a basketball player should be prepared to play the game. Physical fitness is mandatory if you are planning on avoiding basketball injury. A trip to the gym to do weight training and bodybuilding should further enhance your own safety. Proper sports nutrition will keep your body from getting dehydrated and keeping your body warm. Keep sports drink near the court as you will be losing a lot of liquid. Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy your game.

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