# SEHS Study Notes: Theme B.3.1 Causes of Injury ## Key Concepts and Definitions ### Types of Risk Factors - **Internal Risk Factors**: Characteristics inherent to the individual that predispose them to injury. - Examples: Age, sex, previous injuries, pregnancy, congenital factors. - **External Risk Factors**: Environmental or situational elements outside the athlete's body that contribute to injury risk. - Examples: Training surfaces, protective equipment, weather conditions. ### Types of Injuries - **Acute Trauma**: Caused by a sudden, excessive force that exceeds tissue tolerance. - Example: A sprained ankle from a misstep during basketball. - **Cumulative Trauma**: Results from repeated application of submaximal forces over time. - Example: Stress fractures in runners due to repetitive loading. - **Chronic Injury**: Develops over time due to poor recovery or repetitive strain. - Example: Tendinitis from prolonged improper technique. - **Overuse Injury**: Caused by repeated strain without adequate recovery. - Example: Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome). ### Biomechanical Maladaptations - Inefficient movement patterns that increase injury risk. - Example: Excessive pronation during running leading to shin splints. --- ## Internal vs External Risk Factors ### Definitions - **Internal Risk Factors**: Physiological or biological characteristics within the athlete. - Examples: Age, previous injuries, pregnancy, congenital abnormalities. - **External Risk Factors**: Environmental elements outside the athlete. - Examples: Training surfaces, protective equipment, weather conditions. ### Interaction Between Internal and External Factors Internal and external factors often combine to amplify injury risk. For example: - **Internal**: A previous ankle injury may reduce joint stability. - **External**: Uneven playing surfaces can exacerbate instability, increasing reinjury risk. Consider both internal and external factors when assessing injury risk to develop a comprehensive prevention strategy. --- ## Acute vs Cumulative Trauma ### Key Differences | **Acute Trauma** | **Cumulative Trauma** | |------------------|------------------------| | Sudden, high-force incident | Gradual accumulation of stress | | Single event | Repeated submaximal forces | | Immediate tissue damage | Progressive tissue breakdown | ### Examples - **Acute Trauma**: A football tackle causing a ligament tear. - **Cumulative Trauma**: A stress fracture from repetitive running. In gymnastics, acute trauma might occur from a fall during a routine, while cumulative trauma could develop from repeated landings on hard surfaces. --- ## Congenital Factors and Injury Risk ### Examples of Congenital Factors 1. Joint hypermobility 2. Leg length discrepancy 3. Anatomical variations in foot structure (e.g., high arches) ### Impact on Injury Risk - **Joint Hypermobility**: Reduces passive joint stability, increasing strain on ligaments during dynamic movements. Ignoring congenital factors can lead to ineffective injury prevention strategies. --- ## Pregnancy and Injury Risk ### Effects of Pregnancy on Injury Risk 1. **Hormonal Changes**: Relaxin increases ligament laxity, reducing joint stability. 2. **Biomechanical Changes**: Altered weight distribution shifts the center of gravity, increasing strain on joints. ### Example - **Ligament Laxity**: Increased risk of ankle sprains due to reduced joint stability. - **Biomechanical Loading**: Greater stress on the lumbar spine during weightlifting. Pregnant athletes should focus on exercises that enhance core stability and avoid high-impact activities. --- ## Biomechanical Maladaptations in Running ### Common Maladaptations 1. **Excessive Pronation**: Leads to abnormal stress on the ankle, knee, and hip. 2. **Forward Trunk Lean**: Increases lumbar spine and hamstring strain. ### Prevention Strategies - Strengthen stabilizing muscles (e.g., glutes, core). - Correct running posture to reduce compensatory movements. Excessive pronation can be addressed with proper footwear and strengthening exercises for the tibialis posterior muscle. --- ## Injury Prevention Strategies ### Reducing Chronic Injuries 1. **Correct Biomechanical Maladaptations**: Address improper movement patterns. 2. **Strengthen Muscle Groups**: Improve joint stability and force distribution. 3. **Adequate Recovery**: Ensure sufficient rest between training sessions. ### Role of Protective Equipment - **Scrum Cap**: Reduces head impact forces in rugby. - **Shoulder Pads**: Distribute collision forces, reducing point pressure. - **Mouthguard**: Prevents dental injuries and stabilizes the jaw. Protective equipment addresses external risk factors but does not eliminate internal predispositions. --- ## Practice Questions ### Multiple Choice 1. Which of the following is an internal risk factor for injury? - A) Use of personal protective equipment - **B) Age and previous injury** - C) Environmental conditions - D) Training surfaces 2. What is the primary cause of acute trauma? - A) Repeated application of force - B) Poor biomechanics - **C) A sudden or excessive force** - D) Congenital factors ### Short Answer 1. Define internal and external risk factors for injury. - **Internal**: Characteristics within the athlete (e.g., age, previous injuries). - **External**: Environmental elements outside the athlete (e.g., training surfaces). 2. Compare and contrast acute trauma and cumulative trauma using sporting examples. - **Acute Trauma**: Sudden force (e.g., tackle in football). - **Cumulative Trauma**: Gradual stress (e.g., stress fracture in running). --- ## Key Takeaways - Injury risk is influenced by both internal and external factors. - Acute trauma results from sudden forces, while cumulative trauma develops over time. - Biomechanical maladaptations are a major contributor to chronic and overuse injuries. - Protective equipment mitigates external risks but does not address internal predispositions. - Effective injury prevention requires addressing both physical and environmental factors. Always assess the interaction between internal and external factors to develop a holistic injury prevention plan.