Review article

Basic Physical Conditioning in Athlete’s Health Protection

Dragan Milanović ; Kineziološki fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sanja Šalaj ; Kineziološki fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Cvita Gregov ; Kineziološki fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

There is probably no level of physical activity where benefi ts are maximal and risks are absent. Although sport has a positive long term effect on health, health risks during sport are not negligible. The risk of acute injury seems to vary enormously across various sports; most of endurance sports are safe compared to extremely high-risk disciplines, such as some forms of motor sports. Injury rates in popular team games, such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, and ice hockey, lie between these extremities. An important goal is
to maximise the health benefi ts of sports, minimise direct and indirect costs associated with injuries, and develop and adopt injury prevention strategies. Before initiating a measure or programme for preventing sports injuries, the extent of the problem must be defined. Then, the mechanisms and factors involved need to be identifi ed. Finally, measures likely to reduce the risk of injury should be introduced and their effect monitored. Effective sports injury prevention requires successful implementation of effi cient interventions. Approaches that have been shown to be successful include: 1) using equipment designed to reduce injury
risk, 2) adopting the rules of play, and 3) specifi c exercise programmes developed to reduce injury risk. The third category of prevention approaches covers multilateral physical conditioning programmes. These programmes include exercises that develop strength and power, balance, fl exibility, agility and speed, as
well as appropriate movement technique. The purpose of this paper was to review the existing literature on injury prevention training programmes. Sixty papers were selected and analysed: 38 on injury risk reduction and 22 on modifying risk factors through physical conditioning. The success of injury prevention training programmes is visible through the 87 %-reduction of injury rates in some of the analysed studies. Based on the reviewed papers on injury prevention programmes in athletes, complex neuromuscular training (plyometric, strength, balance, speed, and agility exercises, as well as cutting and jumping technique learning) can be recommended. This kind of a programme has a positive effect on different athlete’s
abilities, modifi es neuromuscular and biomechanical risk factors, and reduces injury rates in different sports.

Keywords

conditioning training; injury; prevention; programme; sport

Hrčak ID:

92090

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/92090

Publication date:

16.11.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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