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How Injury Prevention Screenings Can Help Athletes Stay Healthy

October 10, 2024

Whether you’re a high school athlete or a weekend warrior still competing in the sport you love, one of the most important things you can do is stay healthy.

“Injuries can occur at all levels of sports participation,” says James Kristopher Ware, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at the Bone & Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital. “Injury prevention screenings can help to reduce the risk of injury for all athletes.”

Not sure if injury prevention screenings are for you? We asked Dr. Ware to explain how they can help you stay in the game.

Injury prevention screenings identify your risk of injury.

When it comes to athletics, injuries are inevitable. But many are also preventable.

“Injury prevention screenings help identify risk factors that could lead to injury during sports,” says Dr. Ware. “These tests are designed for recreational and competitive athletes to assess the range of motion, strength, balance and movement patterns, highlighting any deficits that could increase injury risk.”

Depending on your needs, the screening could include some simple movement tests or state-of-the-art technology.

“This can range from a simple 15-minute movement screen to advanced analysis using computer software, motion detection and force plate data to target performance issues,” Dr. Ware adds. “The Bone & Joint Institute is one of the few centers offering such advanced testing for all levels of athletes.”

> Related: How a Motion Analysis Assessment Can Take Your Sports Performance to the Next Level

All athletes can benefit from screenings, but especially these groups.

Injury prevention screenings are helpful for athletes of all levels, especially younger athletes and those returning from an injury. Dr. Ware suggests following these guidelines:

• Middle school and early high school athletes: Book screenings 1-2 times a year to factor in developmental growth.
• Later high school and college athletes: Schedule annual screenings.
• Athletes beyond college age: Plan for a screening every other year.
• Athletes recovering from injury or surgery: Complete a screening before returning to sports.

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Your screening results will be used to create a custom fitness and strengthening plan.

Your injury prevention screening results lay the foundation for a customized fitness or strength-building program designed just for you.

“This is the most crucial aspect of injury prevention screening,” says Dr. Ware. “The tests are built to identify modifiable injury risks, allowing us to tailor an athlete’s strength and conditioning program to address their specific needs.”’

Your personalized program will incorporate exercises focused on:

• Strength
• Flexibility
• Balance
• Biomechanics

“If you play sports at any level, an injury prevention screening can help you stay healthy,” Dr. Ware adds. “The time commitment is low, and the potential benefits are significant.”