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| Sunday, 29 January 2006 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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5 steps to prevent injuries Sports is a lot of fun. Getting hurt is not. There are a few methods to prevent such injuries, so, take these five steps to prevent injuries and stay in the game:
1. Wear protective gear, such as helmets, protective pads, and other gear available for the particular sport you are playing. 2. Warm up, before the game. 3. Know the rules of the game. 4. Watch out for others. 5. Don't play when you're injured. Let's find out more about each of these. Protective gear Protective gear is anything you wear to help keep you from getting hurt. The gear you wear depends on the sport you play. Helmets are the most common protective gear. They protect your all-important head while you're playing football, hockey, baseball, softball or going biking and skateboarding, just to name a few! Make sure you're wearing the right helmet for your sport. For instance, don't wear your cricket helmet when you're playing football! Your helmet should fit snugly but comfortably, and if it has a strap - like a bike helmet does - you need to fasten it. Otherwise, it will fall off when you need it most. Other sports require eye protection, mouth guards, pads, wrist, elbow, and knee guards, and a protective cup (for boys only). And don't forget your feet. Cleats are worn in football, baseball, softball, and soccer. These shoes have special rubber or plastic points on the soles to help your feet grip the ground when you run around. You can talk with your parents or your coach to know what gear you need. Then wear that gear whenever you're playing. Warm ups It's not a good idea to just run on to the field and start playing. You shouldn't even start stretching until you're a little warmed up. So take a light jog to get loosened up and ready to play. Doing some stretching also can help you prepare for the game. By warming up, you get yourself ready to play. Warming up your muscles and practising a sport help keep you safe, too. Warm ups that last 15 to 30 minutes and include slow, gradual stretching help lengthen your muscles and increase your blood flow and muscle temperature. That way, your muscles are ready for action and are much less likely to get hurt. Know the rules of the game Traffic lights at intersections help prevent crashes between the many cars and trucks that move on the roads. This works because drivers know the rules and follow them - at least most of the time. It's the same way with sports. When players know the rules of the game - what's legal and what's not - fewer injuries happen. You and the other players know what to expect from each other. For instance, you know that in soccer you can't come from behind, crash into a player's legs, and steal the ball. It's legal - and safer - to go after the ball rather than the player. With sports that use such moves or plays, it helps to understand them and what your role is in each one. Being where you're supposed to be can help you stay out of harm's way, too. Watch out for others Some rules don't have anything to do with scoring points or penalties. Some rules are just about protecting other people and being courteous. One way you can watch out for others is to communicate on the field. Listening to your coach during a game can also help keep you safe. It's also good to just be courteous, like telling someone that his or her shoe is untied. Check your shoes, too! Don't play when you're injured This is a really important rule to follow. If you love sports, it's tempting to get right back in the game, even after an injury. But playing when you're hurt - or before an injury has had a chance to fully heal - is a bad idea. It can lead to an even worse injury, one that might sideline you for a long time. Be honest with parents and coaches if you've been hurt. See a doctor for your injuries, when necessary, and follow his or her advice about how and when to return to practice and play. Now you know what kids need to know about staying safe. Hopefully, if you follow rules 1, 2, 3, and 4, you won't need to focus on number 5. Or at least not quite as often! - Chamitha Kuruppu |
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