ABSTRACT
Prevention of musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) is a primary concern for health care professionals, such as athletic trainers, physical therapists, and physicians, responsible for the care of athletes and other physically active individuals. This initiative is especially challenging given the multifactorial etiology of injury in these populations. Over the years, research has identied numerous risk factors for sports-and training-related injuries. More recent work has suggested that the number and severity of these injuries may be potentially reduced through specic injury prediction and exercise intervention strategies. It is important for the primary care sports physician to be familiar with the risk factors associated with MSKI as well as the prediction and prevention strategies commonly implemented in athletic settings. This chapter will initially review current evidence regarding the multiple risk factors associated with MSKI. The chapter will then discuss several injury prediction and prevention strategies commonly used by sports medicine practitioners (Table 36.1).
