Engaging in any type of sports is a fun and enjoyable way to stay fit and healthy. However, it seems that for many athletes-- professional or not-- injuries have become the norm. Because of the frequency with which these injuries happen, it seems that sports and injuries are two sides of the same coin. Nothing could be further from the truth. By following the correct techniques and pre-game warms ups, injuries can be largely avoided.

One of the oldest but also often the most neglected ways of avoiding sports injuries is to perform warm-up and cool down exercises before and after any game. Warm ups serve their purpose by preparing both your body and your mind for the activity. Warm ups are called such because they literally warm up the muscles you are going to be using for the game. Aside from warming the muscles, pre-game exercises also increase your heart rate and prepare your mind for the activity. Because you have been fully limbered up, you are far less likely to pull a muscle or suffer an injury. A ten-minute warm up that targets the muscles you will use most during the game should suffice.

After the game, cool down exercises should be performed to avoid sports injuries, particularly post-game soreness. A ten-minute cool down session normalizes your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. Do the opposite of what you usually did during the sport. If you had been engaged in long bouts of running, walk or jog before hitting the showers. Follow your cool down with stretching exercises immediately so that you can keep your muscles and joints flexible. Stretch the muscle groups that were most often used during the activity so that these become longer and more elastic over time. When your muscles are regularly stretched, you become less susceptible to injuries because of the wider range of motion.

Another method of avoiding sports injuries is to wear the right footgear and sports apparel suited for your sport. There are practically shoes made for every type of sport that take into consideration all its aspects. Soccer shoes, for example, are made with spikes to keep the players from sliding on the ground in a sport that requires long bouts of running and kicking on a grass or dirt surface. Basketball shoes are light and well-cushioned to enable the players to jump and land without suffering needless injury from the impact. You normally don't need shoes while swimming but swim suits are essential so you can glide seamlessly in the water without too much resistance. By wearing the proper gear, you prevent slips and falls while maximizing your game.

Finally, you can avoid injury by paying particular attention to proper form and technique as you do the moves in the sport. For more seasoned athletes, this comes as second nature. However, novices should devote more time to perfecting their technique so these become ingrained. In golf, for example, proper stance is essential to the prevention of back and shoulder strain. Correct form is also essential to making long drives and sinking the ball in the hole.