2008 Woodie Awards
Red flag ahead
Injuries are a prime factor in harming any athlete's season
Kristen Roderick
Issue date: 12/5/02 Section: Silhouette Sports
- Page 1 of 1
As the 2002-2003 sports season wears on, one thing lurks around in the athletic department, waiting to take on its next victim.
Injuries have caused dismay for many Buster athletes this year.
An example of this is the Broncbuster Cross Country team, who went without a full team for most of the season due to injuries to the legs.
Greg Greathouse, head athletic trainer for GCCC, said that the majority of athletes who come into the training room have ankle and knee problems.
"Some may have muscle strains in the legs and arms, but we see more problems in the ankles, knees and shoulders," Greathouse said.
Of the approximate 350 athletes at GCCC, Greathouse said that 90 percent come in for injuries.
"At least 90-95 percent of the injuries can be simple," Greathouse said.
These simple injuries can range from bruises to shin splints.
Using the R.I.C.E. method [explained above] is usually a good cure for minor injuries because it helps reduce swelling and reduce bleeding in the tissue.
For more severe injuries, it is up to Greathouse and the other athletic trainers to decide if an athlete needs an ambulance or needs medical attention.
Greathouse said that it is sometimes necessary for athletes to use ambulances in contact sports, such as football.
What precautions are people taking to avoid injuries? What can people do to prevent them?
"The first thing we do is evaluate the injury to decide what should be done," Greathouse said. "After that we usually have the athlete ice the injury and then we sometimes use various therapies."
These therapies may include head, muscle stems, or even medications if the doctor allows them.
Greathouse said that there is a lot that can be done to help prevent injuries.
"Athletes need to be physically in condition when the season starts," he said. "They should start training early. Weight lifting is also a good step to preventing injuries."
Weight lifting helps strengthen the muscles needed in various sports.
Greathouse also said that cross-training is a good way to avoid injuries.
Participating in a different sport that helps tone those muscles may be a fun way for an athlete or even a general person to avoid injury.
Injuries have caused dismay for many Buster athletes this year.
An example of this is the Broncbuster Cross Country team, who went without a full team for most of the season due to injuries to the legs.
Greg Greathouse, head athletic trainer for GCCC, said that the majority of athletes who come into the training room have ankle and knee problems.
"Some may have muscle strains in the legs and arms, but we see more problems in the ankles, knees and shoulders," Greathouse said.
Of the approximate 350 athletes at GCCC, Greathouse said that 90 percent come in for injuries.
"At least 90-95 percent of the injuries can be simple," Greathouse said.
These simple injuries can range from bruises to shin splints.
Using the R.I.C.E. method [explained above] is usually a good cure for minor injuries because it helps reduce swelling and reduce bleeding in the tissue.
For more severe injuries, it is up to Greathouse and the other athletic trainers to decide if an athlete needs an ambulance or needs medical attention.
Greathouse said that it is sometimes necessary for athletes to use ambulances in contact sports, such as football.
What precautions are people taking to avoid injuries? What can people do to prevent them?
"The first thing we do is evaluate the injury to decide what should be done," Greathouse said. "After that we usually have the athlete ice the injury and then we sometimes use various therapies."
These therapies may include head, muscle stems, or even medications if the doctor allows them.
Greathouse said that there is a lot that can be done to help prevent injuries.
"Athletes need to be physically in condition when the season starts," he said. "They should start training early. Weight lifting is also a good step to preventing injuries."
Weight lifting helps strengthen the muscles needed in various sports.
Greathouse also said that cross-training is a good way to avoid injuries.
Participating in a different sport that helps tone those muscles may be a fun way for an athlete or even a general person to avoid injury.