FEATURE


Exercising the issue of Sports Injuries


S


port is an important aspect of life to many people throughout the UK. Thousands of people within the UK take pride in being physically fi t, enjoying regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. In 2011-2012, 36% of the adult population - 15.5 million adults – undertook some form of moderate physical activity at least once per week for thirty minutes2


. In fact, outdoor


recreation is the UK’s favourite pastime1


.


Sport dominated the list of most watched television programmes in 2012, with over 20 million people tuning in to watch Usain Bolt win the Olympic 100 metre title in London. Astonishingly, in the time it takes Usain Bolt to run 100 metres (9.58 seconds), the NHS spends approximately £10,000 on tackling preventable ill-health2


.


Exercise drives the economy. An estimated £21 million was spent between 2012 and 2013 by visitors enjoying outdoor recreation. In addition to this, walking tourism alone supports up to 245,500 full time equivalent jobs. Physical activity programmes at work can reduce


18 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST absenteeism by as much as 20%2 .


In 2010, the London marathon generated £110 million alongside a further £31.7 million spent by athletes, spectators, organisers and visitors2


.


Exercise also has a well-established role in promoting a healthy lifestyle and warding off disease, too. Exercising for just fi fteen minutes a day can add three years to a person’s life expectancy in comparison to doing no exercise. Coronary mortality can be reduced by up to 33% through burning 2000kcal per week. Physical activity has a highly benefi cial role in treating mental health conditions such as depression. One study found that 45% of people with major depression did not meet the criteria for depression after taking part in physical activity on three days a week in a group setting2


.


The chief medical offi cers in all four home countries agree that exercise can reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, obesity, cancer, stroke and musculoskeletal conditions by as much as 50%2


.


In the community pharmacy setting, it is commonplace to encounter patients who have injured themselves through sports activity. It is therefore important to know how to treat minor sports injuries, such as back pain, sprains and strains, as well as when to refer a patient to another source of help.


BACK PAIN


Many sports carry the risk of causing injury to the back. Back pain can be felt as pain, tension or stiffness and although it is commonly felt in the lower back area it can often progress to the neck, shoulders, buttocks and legs3


.


As well as recommending over the counter medicines for sports-related back pain, pharmacists can also provide advice on how to help ease back pain. Promoting relaxation and a positive mental attitude will help patients to keep muscles relaxed, dispersing any tension that would cause excess pain. Patients should also be aware that their sleeping position can affect their pain. Advising patients who sleep on their side to do so with their legs slightly towards the chest and a pillow between the legs is recommended, taking the strain


SPRAINS


A sprain is an injury to a ligament as a result of abnormal or excessive forces applied to a joint, with no dislocation or fracture5


. Sprains occur when the


ligament has been stretched, twisted or even torn6


and the knees, ankles,


wrists and thumbs are most commonly affected6 include:


. Symptoms of a sprain


• Pain around the affected joint • Inability to use the joint • Inability to weight-bear on the joint • Mechanical instability5 • Swelling • Bruising • Tenderness


A sprain often swells soon after the injury and bruising can occur later on, >


of their back. Patients who sleep on their back should be advised to place a pillow behind their knees, maintaining the natural curvature of the spine and hence alleviating any pressure on the back. Exercise such as walking, swimming and yoga can help keep the back strong and supple will help to prevent back pain.


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