Vital Hygiene Instructions For Sportspersons
Sports activities, both individual or team sports are associated with health risks when adequate precautions are not followed. These are in addition to the musculoskeletal sports injuries on the field and some of these common sports related health concerns include dehydration, skin and soft tissue infections like bacterial folliculitis, viral infections like herpes simplex infections, fungal infections etc, – all common with contact sports like wrestling, boxing, football, rugby etc. water borne illnesses which are common in swimmers, divers and those involved in other water sports, respiratory infections and blood borne infections – again more prevalent in contact sports.
Thus, measures for maintaining health and hygiene should be constantly encouraged at all levels of sports and at fitness centres as quite a few of these illnesses may be prevented by maintaining proper hygiene. So, here are some tips for all sportspersons who maintain an active sports life.
Health And Hygiene Tips
- Ensure adequate hydration at all times. Intake of water, electrolyte-rich solutions, fruits rich in water content etc. should be constantly consumed to prevent exhaustion and dehydration related risks. However, avoid drinking from common source containers or sharing water bottles
- A proper restful sleep gives your body time to recover from the physical exertion, repair, rebuild, heal the tissues and also boosts your body’s immunity
- A good shower before and after a sports activity is essential to wash oft the grime, dust and the sweat which could harbour harmful bacteria
- Never share your soaps, towels etc. This is important, especially in locker rooms and common shower areas where liquid soap dispensers should be encouraged rather than the use of soap bars
- In team sports and camps, avoid sharing razors and other items of personal hygiene.
- Rare instances of blood borne infections can possibly spread with sharing razors
- Avoid sharing of your personal sports related equipment like pads, clothes etc.
- Thorough wiping and cleaning of all sports gear should be encouraged immediately after every use.
- Avoid touching your hands to your nose and eyes.
- Any athlete with boils, open cuts or open festering wounds should be treated by the concerned team doctors and only then, cleared for playing especially while participating in contact sports.
- Pools and water sports areas should be well maintained and the water should be chemically disinfected .
- Sportspersons involved in water sports should avoid ingesting the water to reduce the risk of water borne illness.
- Those affected with skin and gastrointestinal infections should take proper treatment and enter the pool only after recovery.
- Meticulous foot hygiene measures including washing the feet after an event, keeping the spaces between the toes dry, thorough cleaning of socks and shoes is always necessary to avoid skin and lung and infections.