Critically evaluate the effects of an impact sport and a repetitive action sport on the skeletal system of a young performer.

High impact sports can be generalised as invasion games such as football, rugby and hockey and usually involve contact between players. Low impact sport is any activity with minimal wear and trauma to weight bearing joints for example jogging, cycling or swimming. Finally a repetitive action sport are sports that involve any activity where a specific joint or joints are continuously performing a particular movement for example cricket, golf and racket sports.

The positive effects that these kinds of sport can have on the skeletal system if the actions were taken in moderation would include an increase in bone density or bone health due to there being an increase in collagen or calcium deposits within the bone, this will lead to the bone strengthening or thickening over time helping injury to be prevented during high impact collisions (fractures) or repetitive movements (shin splints/Osgood Schlatters).

The prevention of Osteoporosis will occur especially in teenagers who are susceptible to the disease. Osteoporosis is a reduced bone density leading to the bone becoming weak and is normally associated with older people especially women but can effect young people particularly in the bones surrounding the hip, spine or wrist joints.

Over time there will be an increase in the health and stability of joints of a performer taking regular part in impact and repetitive sports. The ligaments and tendons surrounding joints strengthen and there is an increase in the muscle tone. This helps to prevent breaks, sprains or dislocations during high impact collisions in sports such as rugby and football.

There will also be a reduced risk of osteoarthritis or arthritis as the articular cartilage thickens, this meaning that joints are much better cushioned enabling them to withstand force and absorb shock that usually occurs with repetitive actions involved in activities such as jogging or swimming.

There is likely to be an improved posture or alignment in the participant due to the increased strength of core muscles, reducing the chances of lower back pain, this is also due to be improved as the weight of the participant is likely to be reduced if they a regularly participating in impact or repetitive activities. This weight reduction reduced the amount of stress on the skeletal system, reducing the risk of injuries and osteoarthritis as the weight bearing down on joints is reduced.

The negative effects on the skeletal system from overuse poor levels of rest and recovery time include an increased risk of Osteoarthritis due to the wear and tear of over participation in repetitive sports such as swimming and jogging as the articular cartilage can deteriorate especially if poor technique is used. This will cause pain and swelling in the region which will limit movement. Surgery may be required in the long term to rectify this problem.

There may be some growth plate damage especially through high levels of regular participation of high impact sports. The growth plate is the weakest area of the bone in young individuals and a sudden force created through impact could cause a fracture to occur in this area.

Participants may also suffer with overuse injuries and these are common in repetitive sports such as golf, badminton and tennis. Usually inflammation of a joint will cause pain and swelling leading to a reduction in the range of motion of a particular joint (tennis elbow).

In summary the positive effects of participation in impact sports and repetitive sports outweigh the negative effects and it is about the moderation that is put in place that will allow these positive effects to take place. Following a long term athlete development plan will allow athletes to have sufficient rest intervals between sports and these will minimise the risk of injury in young performers allowing them to maintain healthy lifelong involvement in physical activity.