Baseball has a long tradition of sportsmanship, producing fun games and, unfortunately, ankle injuries. In fact, nearly 1 in 10 injuries in college baseball are ankle-related. There are many reasons why baseball players are at risk for these sprains, strains, and breaks. There are reasons for optimism, however, and there are plenty of ways anyone, from pitchers to left fielders, can protect their joints from injury. In this article, we consider the reasons why baseball players are prone to ankle injuries. We also discussed the extent to which wearing an ankle brace at a baseball game might help prevent injuries.
The benefits of sports ankle braces for athletes
shoe
Every baseball player has a pair of cleats they hold dear. They might have helped them steal a base at a crucial moment, or let them catch a fly ball. This may simply be because they are reliable and comfortable. However, these footwear friends aren't always the best gear for your ankles.
Because the cleats lift the foot off the ground, these shoes keep the foot farther off the ground than most shoes. That means baseball players can dig dirt and turf better. However, the distance between the foot and the ground can also cause instability. An unstable ankle is more likely to be thrown out of its normal motion. This can lead to strains, twists, sprains, fractures and breaks.
playing field
Baseball is a unique sport because it is played on more than one type of surface in any given game. This makes viewing fun and aesthetically pleasing to the crowd. However, both the transitions between surfaces and the constant degradation of those surfaces create risks for players.
In nine innings, dirt can become uneven around the base path, and cleats can appear in the area around the batter's box. Turf emerges on the pitching table, and uneven turf dots the vast outfield, not to mention the constant danger of obstacles such as dugouts or stands. Stepping on the wrong area while running, catching, or throwing can cause severe ankle rotation and possible multiple injuries.
Game flow
Like many other sports, baseball involves a lot of fast movement and spin. This increases the chance of lower body injuries, especially ankle injuries, as the body absorbs more weight and stress. Because the flow of a game is difficult to predict from one moment to the next, the risk of an ankle injury from sudden movement becomes more apparent.
Most games in baseball are independent of each other, so it's impossible to know what's going to happen next. This makes it extremely difficult to adjust your body to absorb the shock of fast turns. Twisting to catch a hard-hitting ground ball, circling the bases at high speed, sliding to hit the ball, and changing direction to catch a wrong pass all involve sudden and unpredictable changes in balance. This leads to a higher risk of ankle injuries.
Wearing an ankle brace for baseball will reduce the risk to your joints from sudden twists, turns and lunges in motion
batter's box
The batter's box is a dangerous place. There are baseballs flying at over 90 mph within inches of your body. Then sometimes you are your own worst enemy. It's not uncommon for a batsman to knock the ball off his ankle, which can lead to pain and even injury.
Hitting the ball from the ankle can result in a broken, broken or bruised ankle, which can lead to prolonged sitting on the bench. It's not always the batter who faces danger near home plate. The catcher can also be hit in the ankle by a foul ball. They could also get involved in a nasty collision trying to tag a runner who wants to score. These conditions lead to a high risk of ankle injury.
Why Baseball's Ankle Brace Could Be the Solution
Long-term solutions include increasing ankle flexibility and strength through a well-constructed exercise regimen. However, the best short-term protection against ankle injuries may be choosing to wear an ankle brace during baseball games.
Ankle braces provide support for the ankle by absorbing shock and offloading it to the lower body's support structure. The stent supports the lateral ligaments, peroneal tendon, plantar fascia, and posterior tibial tendon. So those quick turns, shifts, steps and spins don't put too much stress on the ankle. They also ensure that the joints remain properly aligned. Most heavy duty brackets also act as an extra layer to prevent the lingering consequences of hits from the pitch.
Other orthopedic braces can also provide baseball players with the same protection as ankle braces. Players can combine sports tape with braces to add another layer of support, compression and stability.