Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation

Sports represent the pursuit of excellence in physical ability and performance, and their importance in promoting health and preventing various health issues is now widely accepted. Participation in sports and physical activities has become a key strategy for improving overall well-being. However, it is crucial to recognize that sports are not free from risks, and injury is an unavoidable part of athletic participation. Posture plays a central role in human health and movement. It can be defined as the way the body is positioned and aligned when standing, sitting, or lying down. Importantly, posture is not a fixed or rigid condition; it is a dynamic and constantly adapting process in which the body relies on coordinated input from the musculoskeletal system, sensory feedback, and even emotional influences to maintain stability, balance, and efficient movement. Even during seemingly still activities like sitting or standing, the body makes ongoing, subtle adjustments to respond to internal and external demands. Reaching peak performance in competitive sports demands consistent and often intense training that places considerable stress on the body. While this stress is necessary to improve performance, it also increases the risk of injuries. Physical problems that may seem minor for non-athletes can have significant effects on athletes, often disrupting training or competition. When injuries are overlooked or athletes continue training without proper treatment, these problems can become chronic and much harder to manage, sometimes leading to early retirement from sport. This is especially concerning young and adolescent athletes, where inadequate management and recovery can not only harm individual careers but also reduce the overall talent pool in sports. Incomplete recovery from training stress diminishes performance and raises the likelihood of injury. To support consistent participation and sporting excellence, it is essential to establish a strong system for injury prevention, management, and recovery within the athletic environment. This book is designed for students enrolled in the B.P.Ed (Bachelor of Physical Education) & BPES (Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports) course, introduced under India’s New Education Policy-2020. It covers the prescribed syllabus in full and includes a glossary to assist students in understanding key concepts and terms. In preparing this book, we have drawn upon a wide range of primary and secondary sources, including books, research articles, reports, and scholarly papers, both in print and digital form. We are sincerely grateful to the authors and researchers whose work has informed this text. We also wish to express my deep appreciation to my teachers, mentors, colleagues, friends, and family members for their guidance, encouragement, and steady support throughout this journey. A special note of thanks goes to Shri Lokesh Thani, Ms. Himani, and the dedicated team at Sports Publication, Delhi, for their excellent work in producing this book. It is our hope that this book will serve as a valuable and practical resource for students, educators, coaches, athletes, and anyone interested in understanding sports injuries and rehabilitation.