Sports Injuries

We all know that exercising is good for your health. However, care must be taken that it is done properly or else injury can result.

These injuries may be minor, such as a bruise or a blister. Other common injuries are pulled muscles and sprains. These things usually repair themselves in a few days.

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice (Choose the correct answer)

1. What are shin splints?
   a) A broken bone
   b) An injury by themselves
   c) A symptom of an injury
   d) A muscle disease
   
   

2. What causes tennis elbow?
   a) A sudden fall
   b) Overuse of the elbow
   c) Poor posture
   d) Infection
   
   

3. How can shin splints and tennis elbow usually be treated?
   a) Surgery
   b) Medication only
   c) Ice and rest
   d) Physical therapy only
   
   

4. Which condition may sometimes require injections or surgery?
   a) Shin splints
   b) Tennis elbow
   c) Carpal tunnel syndrome
   d) Minor cuts

Exercise 2: Questions and Answers

1. What causes shin splints in the lower leg?

2. How does overuse lead to tennis elbow?

3. Why might carpal tunnel syndrome occur in athletes?

4. What is the best way to prevent injuries according to the text?

Exercise 3: True or False

1. Shin splints are an injury themselves.

2. Tennis elbow is caused by overuse.

3. Carpal tunnel syndrome can only affect office workers.

4. Inattention is the number one cause of accidents.

A strain is an injury in which fibres are overstretched or twisted causing pain and restricted movement. It can happen if the muscle has not been trained for the increased stress. They can be prevented by proper muscle conditioning. There is no treatment for a strain except rest.

A pulled muscle is an injury when the muscle fibres are torn or overstretched. It can be very painful.

Exercise 1: Choose the correct answer.

1. What is a strain?
   a) A torn ligament around a joint
   b) An overstretched or twisted muscle fibre
   c) A broken bone
   d) An infection in the muscle
   
   

2. How can strains be prevented?
   a) By surgery
   b) By medication
   c) By proper muscle conditioning
   d) By wearing bandages
   
   

3. What is the only treatment for tennis elbow according to the text?
   a) Ice and compression
   b) Surgery
   c) Rest
   d) Medication
   
   

4. What happens if a ligament is completely torn?
   a) The joint feels solid
   b) There is no pain
   c) The joint may be unstable
   d) Movement improves

Exercise 2: Answer the questions.

1. What causes a strain in a muscle?

2. How is a pulled muscle described in the text?

3. What are the symptoms of a severe sprain?

4. Why should a sprain be treated as a fracture until a medical opinion is obtained?

Exercise 3: True or False

1. A strain can occur if a muscle is not trained for increased stress.

2. A pulled muscle and a strain are exactly the same injury.

3. All sprains cause pain when the joint is moved.

4. A partially torn ligament can tear completely if stressed too much.

A concussion happens when the brain is violently shaken. It is a serious injury and should be treated by experts. Symptoms include dizziness and feeling sick. Even unconsciousness may occur. Appropriate medical treatment is required.

The skin is broken, and bleeding occurs. It may be caused by a sharp object. In case of bleeding, there is an added risk of infection, so cuts should be treated immediately.

Pain is the classical symptom of a fracture, and usually, though not always, the pain is severe. Some fractures are easy to diagnose, while others are detectable only by X-ray. 

A few signs of fracture are:

• A bump or deformity on the skin

• Exposed end of a bone

• Pain and tenderness to touch

• Swelling and dislocation

• The sound of a crack or snap

About half of all injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament occur along with damage to other structures in the knee. Injured ligaments are considered "sprains" and are graded on a severity scale. Partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament are rare; most ACL injuries are complete or near complete tears.

Exercise 1: Choose the correct answer.

1. What causes a concussion?
   a) A cut to the skin
   b) The brain being violently shaken
   c) A broken bone
   d) An infection
   
   

2. Which of the following is a symptom of a concussion?
   a) Improved balance
   b) Dizziness
   c) Increased strength
   d) Clear vision
   
   

3. Why should cuts be treated immediately?
   a) To reduce pain only
   b) To stop muscle movement
   c) Because of the risk of infection
   d) Because they always need surgery
   
   

4. What type of injury is an ACL injury classified as?
   a) A fracture
   b) A cut
   c) A sprain
   d) A bruise

Exercise 2: Answer the questions.

1. What is a concussion and why is it considered serious?

2. What risk is associated with bleeding from cuts?

3. Name three signs that may indicate a fracture.

4. How are ligament injuries such as ACL injuries classified?

Exercise 3: True or False

1. A concussion can cause unconsciousness.

2. All fractures are easy to diagnose without medical imaging.

3. Cuts do not carry a risk of infection.

4. Most ACL injuries are complete or nearly complete tears.

A bruise is a blow to the body that causes the pooling of blood under the skin.

Dehydration occurs when the body loses too much water, e.g. by sweating. It can seriously affect performance. That is why athletes should drink regularly either water or special sports drinks (thirst quenchers).

Online Vocabulary

Exercise 1: Choose the correct answer.

1. What is a bruise?
   a) A torn muscle
   b) A blow causing blood to pool under the skin
   c) A ligament injury
   d) A skin infection
   
   

2. How are blisters caused?
   a) By dehydration
   b) By repeated friction separating skin layers
   c) By a direct blow to the body
   d) By muscle overuse
   
   

3. How can runners prevent blisters?
   a) By stretching their muscles
   b) By wearing the correct size and type of footwear
   c) By drinking more water
   d) By resting after each run
   
   

4. What is dehydration?
   a) Too much water in the body
   b) Loss of fluids that can affect performance
   c) Bruising under the skin
   d) Muscle soreness

Exercise 2: Answer the questions.

1. What happens in the body when a bruise occurs?

2. Why do blisters form, and how can athletes prevent them?

3. How does dehydration affect athletic performance?

4. What are two ways athletes can stay hydrated?

Exercise 3: True or False

1. A bruise is caused by pooling of blood under the skin.

2. Blisters are caused by repeated friction separating skin layers.

3. Dehydration is not a concern for athletes.

4. Wearing proper footwear can help prevent blisters.