Over the next few weeks, area schools will commence the 2025-26 school year. In addition to returning to the classroom, many students will also resume participation in organized sports. And while some athletes have continued sports-specific training over the summer, others will need to work themselves back into playing shape. It is in this subset of athletes, who might not be as prepared when sports begin, that injuries are more likely to develop.
Here are a few things to be aware of as athletes work themselves back into playing shape, especially over the first couple of weeks of the season.
Broadly speaking, there are two main types of injuries: traumatic and overuse. Traumatic injuries occur as a result of a specific incident, such as twisting a knee or falling on an outstretched arm and hand. Traumatic injuries are easy to recognize, as there will often be immediate pain, swelling, and a noticeable loss of function. Thankfully, most traumatic injuries heal in a relatively straightforward manner, as the body has an inherent set of processes designed to repair damaged tissue and restore function.
Overuse injuries, on the other hand, can be a bit more difficult to detect. Symptoms of overuse injuries often overlap with the typical soreness that results from playing sports, particularly after a period of time off. This soreness is known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, referring to the pain and stiffness experienced one to two days after physical activity, especially that which the athlete is unaccustomed to. While the symptoms of DOMS can be quite painful, they usually aren't something to be concerned about.
The soreness from DOMS should be differentiated from a muscle strain, an injury that may be caused by a specific incident, such as a kick or throw. Athletes will commonly find that the symptoms from DOMS are felt throughout the affected muscle, while the pain and tenderness from a strain are usually felt at a specific point within a muscle or where it meets the tendon.
Other symptoms to be aware of are stiffness, soreness, or pain that occur later in the season. In most cases, these symptoms are short-lived and resolve on their own when the athlete warms up. If they do not, however, and the pain or stiffness worsens as the season progresses, it could be a warning sign that an overuse injury is developing. Overuse injuries are believed to occur when the body's ability to heal lags behind the cumulative microtrauma that occurs with repetitive action.
As always, any questions regarding symptoms should be addressed with a team trainer or another healthcare professional, who can guide you on the best course of action. The good news is that most athletes with traumatic or overuse injuries do pretty well with proper rehabilitation. Many conditions resolve relatively quickly with a period of modified activity and appropriate treatment, allowing the injured area to heal.
Dr. Jordan Duncan is from Kitsap County and writes a monthly health column for Kitsap News Group. He is the owner of Silverdale Sport & Spine.