[Kok! Health] Inspired by Slam Dunk Craze? Be Careful with Lower Body and Wrists When Trying Basketball

[Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Recently, interest in basketball has surged as the movie 'The First Slam Dunk' has become a hit, leading to a sharp increase in sales of basketball shoes and equipment. Basketball, which is based on running and throwing the ball, helps build stamina and muscle strength. However, due to frequent sudden changes between offense and defense, rapid movement transitions can often cause injuries, so caution is necessary.

According to the Sports Safety Foundation's survey on sports-related injuries on the 18th, 85.2% of citizens who have participated in basketball reported having experienced injuries. This is significantly higher than the average injury rate of 64.3% in recreational sports. The most common injury sites were fingers (33.6%), followed by ankles (28.6%), wrists (11.3%), and knees (7.1%). The types of injuries were mainly sprains, pain, and fractures.

Jinho Sun, an orthopedic surgeon at Gangbuk Himchan Hospital, said, “Basketball involves many jumping movements, so all lower body muscles need to exert balanced strength,” adding, “Attention should be paid to ligament injuries that can occur when the ankle or knee is severely twisted due to rapid movements.”

[Image courtesy of Himchan Hospital]

In particular, sprain injuries frequently occur in the fingers and ankles, which have a high injury rate. Ligaments are easily damaged when joint movements exceed their allowed range, such as twisting the ankle during landing after a jump or bending the fingers backward while trying to catch the ball. Moreover, because the basketball is heavy and large, finger sprains occur often. Mild sprains can improve with cold compresses, anti-inflammatory medication, and reduced movement.

Ankle injuries are common if proper landing techniques are not followed after jumping. An ankle sprain causes swelling and pain when pressed. Bruising may also occur, and while symptoms improve with emergency treatment and rest, a specialist’s diagnosis is necessary. Even minor injuries, if not properly treated, can weaken joint stability, increasing the risk of repeated sprains in the same area.

Knees are also prone to injury. Because basketball involves rapid transitions between offense and defense, sudden running or direction changes can injure the knees. Players often suffer knee injuries as well. Falling on the knees or colliding with other players can cause damage. Due to frequent jumping, there is a risk of meniscus damage from excessive exercise, and caution is needed to avoid ligament injuries such as collateral or cruciate ligament tears caused by severe twisting movements.

Protective gear is sometimes used to prevent injuries. When using braces, it is important to choose ones that fit the body well to ensure proper function. Improving leg flexibility is also necessary to prevent injuries.

Fractures also account for a significant portion of basketball injuries. They mainly occur in the fingers, hands, and ankles. Finger fractures often happen when the ball hits the finger incorrectly or from collisions with opponents. The finger swells, is painful, does not bend well, and is difficult to move. In such cases, it is best to immobilize the injured finger together with the adjacent finger using a splint as first aid.

Wrist fractures can occur when falling and putting hands on the ground, and ankle fractures can happen from strong impacts during landing after a jump or tripping over an opponent’s foot. Hands and ankles swell severely and are painful, making normal movement difficult. If a fracture is suspected, immediate hospital treatment is necessary. It is important to keep the injured area stable to prevent displaced bones. Fractures with clean breaks can be treated with splints or casts, but many cases require surgery due to tissue damage or complex fractures.

To prevent fractures, taping joints such as fingers, ankles, and knees is recommended. Also, preparing the body with sufficient stretching before starting to allow smooth joint movement is important. Avoiding aggressive physical contact driven by excessive competitiveness, refraining from reckless movements beyond one’s skill level, and being mindful that excessive training can lead to injuries are all crucial.