If you’ve been watching the World Cup this month, you may have marveled at the soccer players’ agility and footwork. You might have been stunned by their incredible endurance and control. And you’ve probably wondered at how they’re able to endure brutal-looking tumbles, only to be back up on their feet, running at full speed within a matter of seconds.
While soccer players face a higher than average likelihood of injury than the average Joe, a slip-and-fall accident can happen to any of us. However, if you’re not a professional athlete, you’ve probably never been taught how to fall correctly. In today’s post, we explain how to avoid injury when you fall.
Fight your instincts
When you find yourself losing your balance and hurtling towards the ground, your instinct is to brace yourself for impact. Your muscles tense up. Your arms stretch straight in front of you to break your fall. This is precisely what you shouldn’t do. When you’re tense and stiff, the impact will be harder and is more likely to cause serious injury. Falling forward onto outstretched limbs means that fragile, unprotected bones—such as wrists and knees—will receive the brunt of the impact and likely break.
Go with the flow
Instead of fighting a fall, you want to turn into it. Loosen your muscles and try to pivot your body so that you land on a well-cushioned area—such as your hip or buttocks. Tuck your limbs in towards your body so that they don’t get in harm’s way.
Falling the right way seems counter-intuitive. However, with practice, it can become second nature—just as it has for professional athletes. Training your body to properly react to a slip and fall can help you prevent unnecessary injury and rehabilitation.
