Can you or can you not prevent injuries ?

[RugbyMuffin]

Conditioned to lose
by Ross Tucker
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ross_tucker/03/18/conditioning/index.html?eref=T1

I have had some heated debates about this on this board. Of course I bring a nice little article to help my side of the debate, that injuries are preventable if you do the right training in the offseason.

I brought this up a lot when "The Same Ol' Cardinals" always seemed to have a million injuries every year, and always to some key player before the season started.

It seems that the mixture of bringing Jon Lott in, as well as a new training facility has helped the Cardinals stay healthier (knock on wood).

I still stick by the notion that the strength and conditioning coach, as Mr. Tucker says, is responsible for injury prevention.

 

[Perfectionist]

I think that a lot of NFL injuries can be avoided by proper conditioning and physical preperation before the season. But no way can anyone be held accountable for the blind hit or a cheap shop, that can end a players season.

 

[bg7brd]

I think I remember Whiz saying something to the effect that strength and conditioning may or may not prevent injuries but it does help with a faster healing time.

 

[Ryanwb]

Stretching is the most important due to some of the hits guys take. I read that Bo Jackson never warmed up or stretched. Speculation is had he been a stretching guy his hip injury likely wouldn't have happened

 

[IAWarnerFan]

In agreement with the replys so far. You ultimately can't stop them from happening all the time, but strength and conditioning can help to prevent them and to recover faster. In a contact sport there will always be the risk of injury, but strength and conditioning must be stressed.

 

[lauraw]

a good consistent plyometric wokout regimen will slow your injuries, and speed healing time. this is part of what john lott does by his graded workouts with the cards for balance and strengthening.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

One other thing...

Years ago when the Cards played at Busch Stadium the astro-turf (ie; cement covered by a tarp) was horrific. ...And even MORE amazing was that they practiced on it during the week. I believe this directly attributed to the constant string of injuries they suffered year-in and year-out. It's been said many times, BUT I think the single BIGGEST reason for the Cardinals turn-around is directly traceable to UofP. You couldn't ask for a better place to play. ...And the contributions of John Lott & staff have also had a TREMENDOUS impact on the over-all health of the team. Add in that the players have bought into the program which has improved team-unity.

 

[Cards232]

I can tell you from personal experience that proper workout & stretching techniques can prevent many injuries. Plyometrics are by far the best method of weight training although it's recommended that kids under 17-18 not participate until their bodies are more fully developed.

Also, as I've posted in other threads, proper stretching techniques can dramatically diminish the possibility of injuries, especially pulled muscles, etc. Warm up before a workout. Then stretch after the workout, not before. My teams haven't had muscle pulls, included hammy's, since I implemented this regimen. For whatever it's worth.

 

[Cody]

injuries can NOT be prevented...but they can be made less likely to happen