There are two types of primary injuries: intrinsic and extrinsic. An intrinsic injury is caused by forces made within the body. Muscle tears, tendinitis, stress fractures and ligament strains are typical intrinsic injuries.
Intrinsic injuries can be divided further into acute and chronic. An acute intrinsic injury happens randomly when you try to do more than your body can handle - a quick sprint, a sharp turn - and suddenly something gives way. A chronic intrinsic injury results from repeated stresses that are not given enough time to heal when they first happen. These injuries, such as stress fractures, tendonitis and knee pain, are more common than acute injuries. An extrinsic injury results when forces outside of the body occur. These injuries, commonly referred to as accidents, can be much more severe. Skiing over a hill and landing on a tree stump, or being hit with a squash ball moving at high speed are two very different examples of this. To prevent secondary injuries and chronic injuries from developing and getting worse, it's very important to understand how the body heals. Exercise increases the amount of fluids in the tissues. Usually these fluids disappear after a short period of rest. But if the rest period is not long enough for the fluid to be completely taken in again, it builds up and remains as swelling and pressure. Stretching and ice application before sport help decrease the fluid buildup. |
