SUMMER SPORTS NEED CONDITIONING, CAUTION

Summer sports from softball to cycling can be fun and healthy. Unfortunately, without proper preparation, conditioning and caution, a pleasant activity can result in a lifelong injury.

Gail DiPrete, assistant athletic trainer for Southeast Missouri State University, said many people try to be weekend warriors with summer sports without having the proper conditioning and preparation for the sport or activity.

"A lot of these people don't exercise on a regular bases," she said. "They put high demands on their bodies."

Those who are going to enter into summer sports and activities should spend time conditioning their muscles and heart.

"They should workout from one to two months, a couple of times a week, before the sport or activity starts," said DiPrete.

She said those who are going to play softball or baseball should be prepared for the stress the games put on the body.

A summer athlete should have a physical exam by a qualified physician and disclose any predisposed conditions before attempting any rigorous activities.

Gerry Salter, physical therapist at the St. Francis Center for Health and Rehabilitation, said more than 40 million people nationally participate in organized baseball and softball leagues. Softball has been estimated to cause more injuries leading to emergency room visits than any other sport.

"Most of the injuries result from sliding, collisions with other players, and falls by the players," said Salter.

Baseball can be fatal.

"Baseball is the number one sport leading to fatality in the United States," said Salter. "Each year more than a dozen pre-teens suffer fatal arrhythmia as a result of being struck in the chest by pitched balls."

He said pitching injuries with softball and baseball can lead to shoulder, elbow and wrist problems.

Many injuries can be prevented by using prevention techniques.

"Breakaway bases, deformable walls, padded backstops, field maintenance, better coaching, and stretching and strengthening programs have all been found to benefit the players in the prevention of their injury," said Salter. He said protective gear should always be used.

Although organized game sports, such as softball and baseball, can be dangerous, Salter said the No. 1 sports injury problem for children is found on the playground.

"Almost four million children (under 15) sustain sports injuries every year from playground equipment."

Severe injuries are sustained when children jump from swings and fall from monkey bars and slides. Some playgrounds use wood chips and shredded tires to cushion children's falls.

Other top children's sports injuries occur during bicycling, skate boarding, gymnastics, kick ball, stick ball and tether ball.

DiPrete said when injuries do occur proper care and first aid is very important.

"Get ice on the injury as soon a possible," she said. "Don't ignore it; every injury should be taken seriously."

DiPrete recommends rest, ice, compression (ace wrap to injury), and elevation of injured limb as immediate emergency measures.

DiPrete encourages everyone to have a basic first-aid kit available when participating in summer sports.

Both Salter and DiPrete said some injuries should seek professional medical care immediately.

The injured should seek medical care if:

-- pain, if the injury causes serve pain or if pain lasts longer than two weeks

-- joint injuries, all injuries to a joint or its ligaments should be examined by a physician.

-- healing, if an injury does not heal within three weeks

-- infection, infection which manifests under the skin with pus, red streaks, swollen lymph nodes or fever. Uncontrolled infections may lead to serious complications.

But one of the most common and possibly serious complications from summer sport activities is heat exhaustion.

Those participating in summer sports should drink plenty of fluids.

Salter said that only 3 percent dehydration will decrease the body's performance.

"Stay hydrated," he said. "If you are thirsty, it's too late."

Those participating in summer sports and summer activities should prepare for the sport.

Summer sport Guidelines:

-- pick a safe sport

-- train but don't overdo

-- stretch and strengthen muscles

-- get good coaching and training

-- use proper protective equipment

-- exercise and condition before attempting the sport or activity

-- make sure the sport takes place in a safe environment