Appendix 2. Selected Examples of Injury Prevention Strategies for
Common Physical Activities and Sports
This chart provides examples of various evidence-based injury
prevention strategies compiled by one group of safety and injury prevention
experts (Gilchrist et al., 2007). It is provided as a resource for readers and
is not a product of the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee.
|
Activity/Sport |
Proven* |
Promising/Potential* |
|
Baseball/softball |
- Breakaway bases
- Reduced impact balls
- Faceguards/protective eyewear
|
- Batting helmets
- Pitch count
|
|
Basketball |
|
- Ankle disc (balance) training
- Semi-rigid ankle stabilizers/braces**
- Protective eyewear
|
|
Bicycling |
|
- Bike paths/lanes
- Retractable handle bars
|
|
Football |
- Helmets and other personal protective equipment
- Ankle stabilizers/braces**
- Minimizing cleat length
- Rule changes (no spearing, clipping, etc.)
- Playing field maintenance
- Preseason conditioning
- Cross-training (reduce overuse injuries)
- Coach training and experience
|
- Limiting contact during practice
|
|
Ice hockey |
- Helmets with full face shield
- Rule changes (fair play, no checking from behind, no high
sticking, etc.)
- Increased rink size
|
- Enforcement of rules
- Discouraging fighting
|
|
In-line skating/
skateboarding |
- Wrist guards
- Knee/elbow pads
|
|
|
Playgrounds |
- Shock-absorbing surfacing
- Height standards
- Maintenance standards
|
|
|
Running/
jogging |
|
|
|
Skiing/
Snowboarding |
- Training to avoid risk situations
- Adjustable bindings
- Wrist guards in snowboarding
|
|
|
Soccer |
- Anchored, padded goal posts
- Shin guards
- Neuromuscular training programs‡
- Strength training
|
|
*Proven interventions have strong
evidence of effectiveness in preventing injuries. Promising/potential
interventions have moderately strong evidence of effectiveness from small
studies or have been tested only under laboratory conditions.
**Semi-rigid ankle stabilizers and
braces have been shown to be most effective for persons with a previous history
of ankle sprain. Stabilizers and braces are recommended for persons who have a
previous ankle injury and are participating in all activities with a risk of
ankle injury (jumping, running, twisting, etc.).
†Helmets worn while bicycling
reduce the risk of death and injury. Educational campaigns, laws/legislation,
and financial subsidy programs all increase use of helmets.
‡Neuromuscular training programs
consist of 4 elements: (1) muscle strengthening, (2) balance training, (3) jump
training, and (4) learning proper mechanics (pivoting, landing, etc.).
Source: Adapted from Gilchrist, J., Saluja, G., & Marshall, S. W.
(2007). Interventions to prevent sports and recreation-related injuries. In L.
S. Doll, S. E. Bonzo, J. Mercy, & D. A. Sleet (Eds), Handbook of injury
and violence prevention (pp. 117–136). New York: Springer.
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