Leg Care During Active Sports

During exercising or while following active outdoor sports, there are chances that the leg may get hurt or injured. Many of the injuries may be internal and not visible to the eye. The injury becomes apparent only when the pain begins. Leg injuries can include tear in the muscles, strain or muscle pull/catch, damage to ligaments or sometimes damage to bones.

Absence of care can result in injury to the knee cap or pain in the heels too. This may be caused by bouncing and jerking movements, crashing against a hard surface or stepping on a stone without being able to balance, or taking a leap and banging the foot on the floor.

Firstly, wear appropriate shoes for each kind of sport you follow. The shoe must provide adequate grip to the foot and must be well padded to cushion the impact when the foot hits the ground. It should also be designed in such a way that it doesn’t skid on the ground and should be able to take the friction on contact with the floor.

Use socks and put on the soles on shoes so that the surface becomes even and the feet feel relaxed and comfortable. Soles also improve the padding giving extra support and cushion.

While playing sports like football, cricket or volleyball use knee caps for safety so that the impact on hitting the ground will be reduced. It is better to play some sports, run or jog on sand as sand reduces the impact of the bouncing as against the impact felt when bouncing on concrete floor.

Avoid playing active sports wearing beach sandals, slip-ons, floaters or flip flops. These do not support the legs (especially heels) adequately.

Always warm up or do some stretching exercises before going in for an all out game. This will help in preventing muscle twist or pull.