SPORTS
MEDICINE REHABILITATION SECTION
ROLE
OF FLEXIBILITY IN INJURY PREVENTION
Luminita
Georgescu
University of Pitesti, Faculty
of Physical Education and Sports, Pitest, Romania
INTRODUCTION. Injuries in
sports activities are acute and overuse cause by intrinsic and
extrinsic risk factors. Quality of performance is affected by lack of
flexibility.
CONTENT. Musculoskeletal injuries represent a
major part of accidents in sports. The flexibility represents the
ability to move joints through range of motion (ROM).
Optimal
flexibility is difficult to define. Physical therapy techniques are
used to reduce risk of injuries in sports activities.
In this
presentation we intend to discus about general principles of
flexibility, programs, types of stretching (passive, active, ballistic,
dynamic, static, PNF), guidelines of stretching, indications,
contraindications, recommendations, evaluation and assessment of
flexibility, kinetological factors of flexibility and flexibility
exercises.
In sports activities is important to identify
flexibility requirements for each sport. Inflexibility or lack of
flexibility decreases muscle function and adaptability.
Prevention
is the first step in treating injuries.
Frequency of sports
injuries has increased simultaneously with the enlargement number of
participations in organized sports activities.
Musculoskeletal
injuries represent a major part of injuries in sport.
CONCLUSION.
Inadequate flexibility joint laxity predisposes to injury without a
muscular support. Prevention of musculoskeletal injuries represents the
main goal of individual exercise training.
The prevention
guidelines of injuries in sport include proper warm-up (before
activity) and cool down (after activity) surface, environmental
factors. In this purpose preparticipation physical examination includes
evaluation of joints (ROM, flexibility), evaluation of strength,
assessment of balance and coordination etc.
