Synopsis

Students work in groups to research six categories of sports injuries and create a realistic scenario dealing with an injury.

Teaching Steps

1. 1. Discuss risks of exercising in hot or cold weather.
   Visual Aid: Environmental Hazards of Physical Activity

   Write the term thermoregulation on the board. Discuss the importance of maintaining the body's temperature at a healthy level. See Protection from the Environment During Physical Activity.

   CONCEPTS

   • Humans can tolerate only small internal temperature variations.
   • The production and evaporation of sweat is the major cooling mechanism for the body.
   • Just as it is important for the body to cool itself in the heat, it must also warm itself when cold.
   • Exercise brings about a warming effect, which, consequently, allows people to tolerate colder temperatures.
   • However, particular body parts are susceptible to cold weather, especially the hands and head, which must be protected to avoid excessive heat loss.
   • Drinking lots of water and fluids is the best way to combat dehydration.
   • If untreated, heat exhaustion may lead to heat stroke.
   • Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention.
   • Frostbite occurs when body parts become frozen.
   • Both frostbite and hypothermia require medical attention.

2. 2. Discuss other environmental risks.
   Visual Aid: Environmental Hazards of Physical Activity

   Discuss physical activity risks related to other environmental factors.

   CONCEPTS

   • Air pollution may present a hazard for exercisers.
   • Sunscreen and sunglasses should always be used to protect the body from the sun's ultraviolet rays.

3. 3. Brainstorm protective sports equipment.
   Ask students to brainstorm different forms of protective sports equipment. Write student responses on the board. Ask students to explain what each piece of the equipment protects or prevents.
4. 4. Discuss ways to prevent the spread of blood-borne pathogens.
   Visual Aid: Preventing Blood-Borne Disease in Sports

   Discuss guidelines for preventing the transmission of blood-borne diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis.

   CONCEPTS

   A blood-borne pathogen is a disease-causing agent that is passed through the blood. Some blood-borne diseases include:

   • HIV - the AIDS virus
   • Hepatitis B - a liver disease
   • Hepatitis C - a liver disease

   Although the risk of contracting a blood-borne disease through sports is very low, precautions must be taken. Contact and collision sports have a higher risk of blood exposure. The sports at highest risk are:

   • Boxing
   • Wrestling
   • Tae Kwon Doe
   • Football

   Other sports that have a higher risk of blood exposure are:

   • Basketball
   • Soccer
   • Ice hockey
   • Field hockey
   • Judo

   Sports with a very low risk of blood exposure include:

   • Tennis
   • Running
   • Swimming
   • Golf

5. 5. Discuss routine actions to prevent sports injuries.
   Visual Aid: Preventing Sports Injury or Illness

   Discuss these general guidelines for preventing sports injuries.

6. 6. Groups research sports injuries and create scenarios for prevention or treatment.
   Divide class into six groups and assign each group a different category of sports injuries:

   • Injury due to overexposure to heat
   • Injury due to cold exposure
   • Injury related to not wearing a helmet
   • Injury related to not wearing protective eye wear
   • Injury related to not wearing knee or elbow pads
   • Injury related to not wearing a mouth guard

   Each group is to research the injuries in its category and create a realistic scenario dealing with an injury. The scenario must create the situation, show the mechanism of injury and explain how the injury should be handled or treated. Ask groups to prepare five-minute scenarios to present to the class.

7. 7. Reflect, summarize, and discuss.
   After each group has presented its scenario, ask group members to tell the class what could have been done differently to prevent the injury from happening.'

Assessment

Student Page: Protecting Yourself from Injury

Have students complete the student page.

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