As summer winds down and Labor Day approaches, many student-athletes are gearing up for a return to play in school sports. The Sports Medicine Team at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS) urges them to be prepared to enjoy a long, healthy season. Minor injuries because of poor conditioning are common during the preseason, and it can be easy to put off treatment. Proper conditioning and management of minor injuries are crucial to keep athletes at peak performance.
Athletic trainers from the SOS Sports Medicine Team support local schools, joining teams beginning with pre-season practices and remain with them through the season, including post-season practice and play if necessary. They keep athletes properly conditioned and attend to minor injuries.
A 2023 study in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, “Prevalence of Preseason Musculoskeletal Pain and Associated Factors in Collegiate Soccer and Basketball Student-Athletes,” concluded that “one in four collegiate soccer and basketball players had preseason MSK pain and the most frequent body locations are the back and the knee. Study suggests an association between previous injury and preseason MSK pain.” SOS Sports Medicine providers work to help prevent injuries, keep athletes safe, and ensure maximum recovery should an injury occur.
The SOS Sports Medicine Team knows preseason conditioning is essential for peak performance and injury prevention. “Whether a varsity veteran or first-time freshman, injury prevention begins with proper preparation,” says Ryan Smart, MD, orthopedic surgeon with the SOS Sports Medicine team. “A well-structured program prepares the muscles, joints, and cardiovascular system for the sport's physical demands. The team at SOS loves to see local athletes succeed and are prepared to keep them in the game.”
Gradual and progressive training helps enhance endurance, agility, and strength while reducing the likelihood of overuse injuries.
SOS providers recommend all athletes follow general precautions:1. Monitor signs of discomfort or fatigue and modify intensity as needed.
2. Ensure correct technique in exercises and sports movements.
3. Use appropriate and well-maintained footwear and protective equipment.
4. Increase intensity and duration gradually to decrease risk of overuse injuries.
The SOS Sports Medicine Team supports athletes on the sidelines, but should injuries occur that require further treatment, SOS PLUS Urgent Ortho Walk-In Injury Care is available. A walk-in orthopedic medical clinic that treats patients with acute orthopedic conditions requiring immediate attention, SOS Plus is located at 5719 Widewaters Parkway in Dewitt and open every day. From sideline care and personalized treatment plans to injury assessments and rehabilitation, SOS provides comprehensive care to keep athletes performing at their best.
Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 53(2):p 33, February 2023.