The recent push to prevent running injuries has made us aware of the concepts of technique and form in running and has pushed researchers to develop a
standard of movement. It is deviations from this standard that cause injury.

This approach is not limited to running. Athletes that participate in sports that involve swinging or hitting, jumping, pivoting, shuffling, or other swift
motions that involve shifting of weight also benefit from an understanding of standard poses that an athlete must go through in order to execute their
movements required to perform in their sport.

For example, a female volleyball player will have a difficult time hitting the ball at the net if her jump into the air is not controlled. Her poor form
in jumping will cause the athlete to have excessive stress on the lower extremity joint and may put the upper extremity joints at an increased risk
of injury (because the lower body never gets into the correct position, the upper body must over rotate for a successful completion of a hit.)

These days, there is a lot working against a student athlete’s performance. They spend all day sitting in a classroom, are then expected to perform at
a high level for a few hours for practice and training, and then often spend the rest of the night sitting while completing homework. We have learned
the detrimental effects of being seated for prolonged periods and the risk that sedentary periods can have on soft tissue structure.

Most athletes are also participating in the sport year-round. It is often difficult to convince and athlete and/or his or her parents of the benefits of
an “off season” due to the competitive nature of club, travel, and high school athletics. (There is a reason professional athletes don’t play twelve
months out of the year!) If a period of rest is not a possibility, make sure to speak to coaches and trainers about strengthening programs and technique
work. These programs should not just be focused on one area of the body—just because a soccer player’s main job is to kick a ball up and down
a field does not mean that their upper body should be ignored; good upper body strength is vital for improving overall movement.

Sky High Volleyball, as an example, had recognized high rates of injury in high-school aged athletes and understood the impact that injuries can have on
a player and his or her season. That is why this year, they are changing their approach to their strengthening program. They are now incorporating
two days of organized strength and technique training and encouraging their athletes to dedicate time twice more per week to injury prevention exercises
and drills to improve functional movement. A good strengthening program can have a great impact on an athlete’s ability to remain injury free.