Chandigarh: There was a time when just a casual fitness regimen was all that coaches advised to the athlete. But with changing times, the advice has got lot more detailed and professional. And sports evolving as the mightiest moneyspinner of all times, ‘injury’ has come to be known as the most dreaded word.

Sports medicine, however, provides the much needed emancipation. “It’s a multi-disciplinary profession, dealing with a range of topics like evaluation of a sportspersons’ potential and his complete physiological characteristics, nutrition, training control, counselling and injury prevention,” informed Dr Ashok Ahuja, head of department of sports medicine, National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala.

Research for long has centred on sports injury treatment, but lately researchers are keenly studying the causative factors as well. “Our research shows that lower limbs have 65 to 70 per cent risk of sustaining injury. Mostly these injuries are muscular in nature, basically ligament and tendon tear,” added Ahuja.

Agrees international hockey star Prabhjot Singh. “A lot many talents get wasted due to injury sustained on field and during practice. In hockey , it’s the knees that tend to give up at times; in such cases, rest and professional help is a must. Weight training on a regular basis also helps strengthening muscles,” said the player from Jalandhar.

“A professionally designed off-season training programme is extremely essential for preventing injury. Moreover, it’s the use of right gear, proper technique and following the warming up and cooling down exercises, which go a long way in keeping a sportsperson fit,” Ahuja stated. In addition to that, the factor of counselling too falls in the ambit of sports medicine. “Every athlete has specific traits, and in case of a team game, the psychology of a player in adapting to the needs of his team and performing up to his potential needs a professional follow up,” Ahuja informed.

Moreover, the modern day sportsperson have been pushing their limits. Not just the number of matches being played in a season has gone up, the average playable age too is crossing 40 years.

The principles of Biomechanics have come to the aid of the modern day

sportsperson. “It’s the improper use of these principles that leads to injury in any sport,” said Garry O’Brien, director coaching, Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA). “The shoulders, lower back and wrist are prone to getting injured during most physically exerting sport like tennis,” he said.

Garry advises a preparation and recovery programme to be followed by sportsperson irrespective of the game they indulge in. “One should follow a pre and during performance intake of fluids and essential supplements at regular interval. This prepares sportspersons for a hectic match and help them recover fast once its over,” stated Garry.

He further added, “The post-performance monitoring is crucial. Some low activity like jogging should follow the play. Laying flat on your back, with legs up against the wall with your eyes closed and pulling your toes inwards aids dissolving of the lactic acid that accumulates in a sportsperson’s muscle tissue. These measures help prevent injury caused by the prolonged and improper use of Biomechanics.” With sportspersons picking up injuries frequently, it’s high time they consult those who can solve their problems.