Fractures, strains, sprains, tears and twists. Sports injuries are common—and terrifying. Especially when the big game is coming up with all the college scouts, or the meet that determines your place in regionals. But it’s not the end of the world, it just requires some time off to ensure a full recovery. Even better than a full recovery is prevention; it can reduce the risk of injury and lead to an accident-free season.
The ACL tear, a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, is one of the most common and feared injuries of all. Along with the pain comes a tedious six- to nine-month month recovery after surgery, a high school athletes’ nightmare. The recovery involves physical therapy and work in regaining range of motion and muscle strength.
Senior Logan Malec tore his ACL while playing football, and during the recovery discovered that he missed his ability to do simple activities, like run.
“Running was difficult because my legs couldn’t physically support me running,” Malec said, “so it was really nice to be able to go back and run.”
A major cause of the injury is landing in a knock-kneed position when running and jumping, which not only places more stress on the knee but decreases strength in the hamstring. Landing with hips and knees bent is the correct method, and will help prevent injuries.
Freshman James August first tore his ACL on the trampoline, and then re-tore it playing baseball. He now goes through physical therapy.
August believes that the recovery process is fairly simple, but at the same time “makes you work.”
Strengthening the quadriceps, hamstring, hip abductors and knee can help reduce one’s risk of suffering from such an injury.
Additionally, girls are more likely than boys to suffer knee injuries and eight to 10 times more likely than boys to suffer an ACL tear due to factors including body shape, neuromuscular control, limb alignment and hormones that loosen ligaments, according to the Nemours Foundation’s Center for Children’s Health Media.
In addition to physical restrictions in competition, injuries can affect an athlete’s competitive mentality.
“Injuries can take a toll on you mentally as well,” senior Zoe Scopa said. “It was sometimes hard to stay competitive when I had to do modified practices” due to an injury.
Marshall’s head athletic trainer Amanda Rolik stressed the importance of understanding that in some cases, injuries can’t be prevented.
“There are some injuries that simply cannot be avoided,” Rolik said. “The reality is that for the most part, those are the injuries that we end up seeing.”