Safety Presentation by Dr. John Sherm
Dr. John Sherm gave a presentation to new WSSA players on preventing injury while playing softball. His comments are applicable to all WSSA players, so we are providing a summary of his presentation here.
1. Warm up your body, not just your arm. Few of the injuries that we have seen occur in WSSA games are arm injuries. Many more are leg injuries (hamstring, calf, Achilles tendon, etc.). Many of these could be prevented by adequately warming up the body. Keys to doing this include:
3. AVOID COLLISIONS and FALLS AT ALL COSTS! Pay attention to the position of the defensive player tending the bag. He might have to shift his position for "off target" throws! The runner must arrive at the bag in balance. (Yes...he will need to slow his approach)!
5. Most leg STRAINS (muscular) injuries come from rapid running accelerations (BURST OF SPEED), and often seem to occur when 1/3 of the way to the next base (when we tend to increase our speed)....hey..we're not that fast...make it smooooth!
6. Many batter-runners lose their balance running to 1st base, after they transition from watching their "great hit.." Run to first base with TOTAL CONCENTRATION...WATCH THE BASE PATH...LOOK AT THE BAG AS YOU STEP ON IT. Let's avoid those careless injuries.
7. Fresh injuries (CONTUSION, SPRAIN and STRAINS) require the IMMEDIATE application of a GENEROUS amount of ice in a plastic bag....wrap with a 4-6 inch wide ACE bandage...keep applied for 40 minutes...off for 20....Continue for 1st day. If swelling/pain is not too severe...consider hot packs/heating pad/hot water bottle 30 min on...30 min off for 2-4 days, and GENTLE stretching can be started...with smooth STEADY tension (NO JERKY or BOUNCING motion! Hold stretch for 1-2 minutes...that's a LONG time isn't it ?
8. ABRASIONS/SCRATCHES...rinse with soapy water, and apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment...apply bandage, if available...repeat when you get home.
Dr. John Sherm, D.O., has 45 years in general and family practice, and is a player in the WSSA. He is happy to help the WSSA players and teams with professional advice.
Dr. John Sherm gave a presentation to new WSSA players on preventing injury while playing softball. His comments are applicable to all WSSA players, so we are providing a summary of his presentation here.
1. Warm up your body, not just your arm. Few of the injuries that we have seen occur in WSSA games are arm injuries. Many more are leg injuries (hamstring, calf, Achilles tendon, etc.). Many of these could be prevented by adequately warming up the body. Keys to doing this include:
- Light jogging in all directions. Run in figure 8 patterns; jog backwards, sideways, and at angles. Simulate the movements you will be doing in the game. Continue about 10 minutes or until you feel loose.
- Gentle stretching if you would like to. Stretching before exercise is now considered unnecessary. Stretching after exercise can be helpful in increasing flexibility when done carefully, without pain.
3. AVOID COLLISIONS and FALLS AT ALL COSTS! Pay attention to the position of the defensive player tending the bag. He might have to shift his position for "off target" throws! The runner must arrive at the bag in balance. (Yes...he will need to slow his approach)!
5. Most leg STRAINS (muscular) injuries come from rapid running accelerations (BURST OF SPEED), and often seem to occur when 1/3 of the way to the next base (when we tend to increase our speed)....hey..we're not that fast...make it smooooth!
6. Many batter-runners lose their balance running to 1st base, after they transition from watching their "great hit.." Run to first base with TOTAL CONCENTRATION...WATCH THE BASE PATH...LOOK AT THE BAG AS YOU STEP ON IT. Let's avoid those careless injuries.
7. Fresh injuries (CONTUSION, SPRAIN and STRAINS) require the IMMEDIATE application of a GENEROUS amount of ice in a plastic bag....wrap with a 4-6 inch wide ACE bandage...keep applied for 40 minutes...off for 20....Continue for 1st day. If swelling/pain is not too severe...consider hot packs/heating pad/hot water bottle 30 min on...30 min off for 2-4 days, and GENTLE stretching can be started...with smooth STEADY tension (NO JERKY or BOUNCING motion! Hold stretch for 1-2 minutes...that's a LONG time isn't it ?
8. ABRASIONS/SCRATCHES...rinse with soapy water, and apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment...apply bandage, if available...repeat when you get home.
Dr. John Sherm, D.O., has 45 years in general and family practice, and is a player in the WSSA. He is happy to help the WSSA players and teams with professional advice.