Injury Prevention: Intrinsic factors Flashcards
define prehabiliation
- injury risk assessment and strength training
- aims to prevent injuries before occurrence
define intrinsic risk factors
- from inside the body
- related to how the athlete moves e.g. individual variables, training effect
features of intrinsic risk factors
- how the athlete moves
- specific to one person
- aspects of individuals physiological make-up
- controllable through training
what are the individual variables commonly assessed?
balance, strength, core stability, movement efficiency, flexibility
balance
- evaluate coordination of agonist, antagonist, and fixators during static and dynamic balance tasks
- e.g. poor alignment during landing increases risk
strength
- assess the relevant types of strength to the sport
- assess concentric and eccentric strength using force plates
flexibility
- assess relevant joints through flexibility tests or goniometry
- e.g. swimmer w/ poor range of motion in shoulder increases risk
core stability
- assess appropriate level for demands
- consider reasons for poor core stability such as muscle imbalance
-e.g strength in transverse abs decreases back pain
movement efficiency
- assess whole body movement and look for:
- control and balance
- coordination of upper v lower body
- differences between L and R side of body
- range of motion and weight distribution
individual variables also considered:
- leg length difference
- posture and alignment
- age
- injury history
- training effects
- nutrition
- fitness
leg length difference
unequal forces being applied to left and right side
posture and alignment
correct posture to avoid muscle imbalance and putting undue stress on an area of the body
age
- muscles less able to absorb force or stretch with age
- decreased bone density
injury history
previous injuries can cause joint instability, muscle imbalance, and loss of flexibility which can increase injury risk
training effects
- ensure short term and long term adaptations are specific to the requirements of the sport
- e.g. increased core stability for a prop in a rugby scrum
nutrition
maintaining a healthy balanced diet including all food groups will help to provide energy for exercise and promote recovery
fitness
needs to be specific to the individual requirements of the sport and relevant fitness components and must be at a level to reduce injury risk
muscle imbalance
when one muscle is stronger than its antagonist resulting in poor technique
