Summer Is Peak Time For Outdoor Sports Injuries
June 6, 2023
Summertime is the ideal time for outdoor activities like boating, swimming, barbecues and picnicking. It’s also ripe for sports injuries, says Nancy White, M.D., a Henry Ford Health sports medicine physician.
“We encourage people of all ages to get outside and take advantage of all the activities available during the summer. It’s very important, though, that people keep safety top of mind to reduce their risk of injury,” Dr. White says.
Dr. White counts these as the five most common injuries:
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures
- Trampoline injuries
- Bike injuries
- Overuse injuries
“Trampoline injuries are mostly caused by jumping, either by an awkward landing or colliding with someone,” Dr. White says. “Overuse injuries happen when someone overextends themselves in a particular activity, whether it’s attending multiple sports camps or simply exercising outdoors.”
Dr. White recommends these three tips for reducing your risk of injury:
- Stay hydrated. Replenish your fluid intake with frequent water breaks.
- Perform warm-up exercises before your run or your game.
- Wear protective gear. Whether bike riding, rollerblading or skateboarding, a helmet and protective pads are a must. Obey traffic laws and store your phone away.
For soft-tissue injuries strains and sprains, Dr. White says the R.I.C.E. method is an immediate at-home treatment you can apply to reduce swelling and pain. It stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen (like Advil) or acetaminophen (like Tylenol), can help too.
If the pain worsens to the point that it interferes with your usual activities or sleep, make an appointment with your doctor or a sports medicine doctor.
Seek medical attention immediately if your pain was caused by a particularly forceful impact, you suspect a broken bone, or if the injury is accompanied by:
- Significant swelling
- Redness
- Tenderness and warmth around the joint
- Significant pain
- Fever
For injuries that don’t improve and require medical attention, visit henryford.com/sports and request an appointment with a Henry Ford sports medicine doctor.
Dr. Nancy White is a sports medicine doctor seeing patients at Henry Ford Medical Center-Columbus in Novi and at the William Clay Ford Center for Athletic Medicine in midtown Detroit.
Coaches Guide to Nutrition: What are Macros?
April 30, 2024
Planning your meals and snacks shouldn’t be challenging.
Break foods down into three categories: Carbs (energy), Protein (build and repair muscles), and Color (vitamins, minerals).
Adjust your plate based on your level of activity that day. Remember that your body needs carbohydrates like grains, fruits and vegetables for muscle fuel.
On hard training days, up to half of your plate should be carbs. On a recovery or rest day, make a quarter of your plate carbs.
Plan your meal
Check out these examples for your day’s main meals:
Breakfast
- Overnight oats with fruit
- Egg wrap with spinach, cheese and salsa
- Cereal with fruit and milk topped with nuts
- Smoothie made with milk, fruit, spinach and oats
- Don’t forget about school breakfast!
Lunch
- Turkey roll-up with cheese, tomato and lettuce, fruit and milk
- Grilled cheese sandwich, tomato soup, small salad, milk and pear
- Large salad with your choice of berries, grilled chicken, cheese and vinaigrette dressing, garlic bread and milk
- School lunches are made with student nutrition in mind!
Dinner
- Pasta with chicken, pesto, tomatoes and peas with milk
- Shrimp or tofu fajita bowl with brown rice, peppers, onions and shredded cheese. Add guacamole and plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Cheeseburger made with 90 percent lean beef or turkey on a whole grain bun with lettuce and tomato and a glass of milk. Add baked sweet potato fries on the side.
Information above is excerpted from UDIM’s A Coach’s Guide to Nutrition.