Risk factors, warm-up and cool-down

Overview

Intrinsic risk factors such as previous injury, age, muscle imbalance, posture and body composition, extrinsic factors such as technique, equipment and training load, and the evidence on warm-ups, stretching and cool-downs.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is an intrinsic risk factor?

   Model answer

   An intrinsic risk factor is a cause of injury from within the performer's own body. Age, previous injury and muscle imbalance are examples.

2. 2

   How does a previous injury increase the risk of injury?

   Model answer

   Damaged tissue may not regain full strength or flexibility. The performer may also compensate, placing extra stress on other areas.

3. 3

   How can age act as an intrinsic risk factor?

   Model answer

   Young performers have growing bones, which are vulnerable to overuse injury. Older performers have less elastic connective tissue and slower recovery.

4. 4

   How do muscle imbalance and poor posture increase injury risk?

   Model answer

   A strong muscle paired with a weak antagonist can pull a joint out of alignment. Poor posture places uneven stress on joints and tissues.

5. 5

   How does body composition affect the risk of injury?

   Model answer

   Excess body mass increases the load on joints such as the knees and ankles. Very low body fat can be linked to weaker bones and stress fractures.

6. 6

   How can training effects become an intrinsic risk factor?

   Model answer

   Overtraining can leave too little time for recovery, so tissues become fatigued and weak. A fatigued performer loses coordination and technique.

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