Water Sports Saftey from your Physical Therapist

Rivers, Lakes, and Summer OH MY!

Michigan is the Land of the Lakes. Did you know that in the state of Michigan you’re never more than 6 miles from a body of water, and never more than 85 miles from one of the Great Lakes?!?! And if you’re like a lot of Michiganders, you enjoy spending time on the water. Kayaking, fishing, cruising, or participating in watersports are some of the favored summer activities.

Many of us participate in watersports without stopping to consider the potential risks and benefits of these types of activities. Wakeboarding or surfing, water skiing, and tubing can be loads of fun in the sun with friends and family. Besides the fun factor, did you know the other benefits of participating in watersports?

Benefits of Water Sports on Mental and Physical Health

1. Mood Booster- Soaking up some vitamin D and enjoying time with friends and family brightens your day!
2. Mental Wellness Regulator- Physical activity is proven to help regulate the hormones that contribute to our mental health.
3. Solid Workout and Fitness Boost- Watersports are a great way to stretch and use muscles in a novel way and can contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle.
4. Great Ally for Weight Loss- Getting out on the water burns calories, and who doesn’t want to have fun while burning calories?
5. Improved Joint Flexibility and Bone Density- The physical requirements for watersports can improve flexibility and bone density when done regularly.
6. Enhanced Cardiovascular Health- Watersports don’t just use your muscles, they get your heart pumping as well!
7. Lowered Risks of Chronic Diseases- People who regularly participate in a form of physical activity and exercise have the benefit of a lower risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

All of that looks like some good motivation to accept your next invitation to hit the water! On the flip side, there are some considerations to keep in mind before you jump in the water. Watersports do in fact carry some level of risk with participation. And unfortunately, the research shows that the injury rate is about the same for both the novice and experienced athlete. So what exactly are the common watersport injuries?

Most common injuries

• Tubing— Injuries most often affect the head and neck, and concussions can be quite common. Tubing also creates strains and injuries to the shoulders when riders attempt to hang on as the tube begins to roll or flip.
• Waterskiing – Most often causes injuries to the ankles including strains, fractures, and Achilles tendon ruptures. This is because the feet are fixed to the skis, and the impact of a fall can place extreme forces on the ankle joint. Hamstring strains are also common with waterskiing.
• Wakeboarding– Most prevalent is an injury to the head and neck, including sustaining a concussion. A wakeboarder can “catch an edge,” throwing him hard into the water, and slamming his head. ACL injuries and ankle sprains are very common in wakeboarding.

Being knowledgeable about the risks and benefits of participating in watersports can help you plan for a fun AND safe day on the water. Let’s look at ways to stay safe and enjoy the summer injury-free.

Staying Safe on the Water

1. KNOW YOUR SURROUNDINGS.

Make sure you take time in unfamiliar water to look around. Recognize where the water is shallow or where there may be submerged objects such as branches, stumps, or other obstacles. Keep an eye out for other people and/or watercrafts or anything that can get between you and the boat. Look for anything you could hit along the side of the lake or river such as channel markers, docks, or rafts.

2. SKI OR WAKEBOARD IN SAFE AREAS.

Avoid heavily congested areas where there are lots of boats and people. Also, try to avoid skiing too close to shore. Make sure the boat driver is experienced in the water and understands the rules of boating and towing for watersports.

3. HAVE A SPOTTER OTHER THAN THE DRIVER OF THE BOAT.

This is boat safety 101. The driver of the boat needs to watch for other boats and obstacles and cannot focus on the skier as well. Make sure a third person can communicate with the skier and watch to see if the skier falls.

4. WEAR A LIFE-PRESERVER.

Another safety 101 item. Not only can a life-preserver provide some protection to your chest in a crash, but it can keep you floating should you suffer a more serious injury.

5. DRINK LOTS OF WATER.

You might not feel as dehydrated because you’re in the water, but you still need to drink water. Dehydration and watersports can cause excessive cramping which may lead to falls in the water.

6. WARM-UP AND STRETCH.

Water sports are no different than land sports. Before jumping into the water, it is best to perform some light stretching and warm up the muscles to reduce the risk of muscle injury and strain.

However, you decide to enjoy the water this summer, keep yourself safe and healthy with these simple tips. If you do end up with an injury, don’t waste your summer hoping it will heal itself! Find your local HealthQuest Physical Therapy for a free injury assessment and let us help you get back on the water faster.