Though roller skating can be an invigorating way to have fun, it comes with a high risk of injury to you or others. Roller skating injuries can be serious without proper protective gear. Safety and protection are the most important parts of any sport, especially roller skating.
Keep reading to learn about the most common injuries from roller skating and how to avoid them.
Fractures
The most common injuries in roller skating are fractures (broken bones) of the wrist, elbow, and ankle. While fractures can vary in severity, it is still a serious injury that can cause great discomfort. Fractures can also take time to heal properly, preventing you from skating for up to three months.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries involve muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The most common of these injuries while roller skating are sprained ankles and wrists.
How to Prevent Injuries When Roller Skating
It can sometimes be unavoidable to injure yourself while skating; however, there are a few precautions you can take to prevent major injuries. Injury prevention is the most important part of staying safe when roller skating or any other sport.
One of the most important precautions to take when roller skating is to wear protective gear: a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. Using protective equipment can protect your body, especially your head, from hitting the ground if you fall, and your skin from hard surfaces like concrete.
Performance Health, a sports medicine company, explains that another way to prevent injury while skating is knowing how to fall if you lose your balance. They state that the best way to do this is to crouch down to minimize the height of the fall, cover your head, tuck in your elbows, and roll onto the softer parts of your body.
According to a study by R.D. Ferkel on roller skating injuries, 90% of 186 participants were injured while wearing no protective equipment. Though some beginners may resist wearing protective gear when starting, it is vital for protecting your body and avoiding injuries. Even the most experienced skaters wear helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads–they know the kind of damage a fall while skating can do. The more you protect your body and stay safe, the more that you can continue skating and enjoying the sport.
Safe Skating!
The most common roller skating injuries are bone fractures and sprained wrists and ankles. While these injuries are treatable, they can take months to heal from and can prevent you from continuing skating. To help avoid these injuries, it is important to wear protective gear like helmets or knee pads and know how to properly fall during skating.
For more information on how to keep roller skating safe and fun, read more at Ferry Godmother Productions!