Increasingly in demand, what are the benefits of playing softball and the risk of injury?

A number of sports have recently become increasingly popular not only with ordinary people but also with Indonesian celebrities, such as tennis and softball. So what are the benefits of playing softball and how to prevent injuries resulting from this sport?

If you watch softball, it might remind you of baseball, a sport commonly played by Indonesians, or perhaps you also played it when you were at school. Just like other sports, softball has benefits that are healthy for the body.

Continue reading this article to find out the benefits of playing softball and the injuries it can cause.

History of the Sport of Softball

It turns out there is an interesting story behind the creation of the sport of softball. This sport was created accidentally in 1887 in the United States, specifically in the city of Chicago, by a sports reporter named George Hancock.

Many people think that this sport was inspired by baseball, which already existed. However, it actually appeared when fans of two well-known university football teams, namely Yale and Harvard, were at the Illinois Farragut Boat Club waiting for the announcement of the winner of the previously played match.

Until finally, when Yale was announced as champion, the university fans threw boxing gloves at the Harvard fans who were greeted with blows to the boxing gloves using the sticks they were carrying. Seeing this incident, reporter Hancock shouted and said ‘Play ball!’, he thought the people were playing ‘indoor baseball’.

Not stopping there, Hancock then tied a boxing glove string and made it into a ball and drew a small home plate with a piece of chalk. The fans of both teams then played the ball using sticks and the game ended with a score of 41-40. Since then new sports have been discovered.

Become an outdoor game

In the spring, Hancock introduced the game outdoors and made a field smaller than a baseball field. Hancock then proclaimed 19 new rules of the game which were later adopted by the Mid Winter Indoor Baseball League of Chicago in 1889.

Softball is played by two teams, each team consisting of nine people. The composition of the players is one person as pitcher or ball thrower, one person as catcher, three players as base man, one player as short stop and short fielder, and the remaining three players as left fielder, middle fielder and right fielder.

Meanwhile in Indonesia, softball is included as one of the sports competed in the VII National Sports Week (PON) in Surabaya.

Benefits of Playing Softball

If played correctly and regularly, not just following trends, softball can provide health benefits for the body. A number of benefits of playing softball are:

1. Maintain cardiovascular health

Softball is included in moderate intensity aerobic exercise. This type of aerobics can help improve cardiovascular health because it strengthens the performance of the heart and lungs. Ultimately this reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.

2.Maintain bone health

3. Maintain ideal body weight

If you want to burn more calories, then choosing softball as your regular exercise is the right choice. Burning significant calories is the key to achieving an ideal and healthy body weight. Movement in softball also helps build muscle mass which can improve overall body composition.

4. Minimal injuries

Softball is a sport with minimal contact with other players so it can reduce the risk of injury compared to other types of sport. It is also a suitable exercise choice for those recovering from injury or surgery because it is low impact.

5. Improve coordination and balance abilities

Playing softball, players must make contact with the ball, this is the key to the sport. Then, to give the right blow, good eye and hand coordination is also needed. Daily activities such as eating, writing and grasping require very good hand and eye coordination.

6. The benefit of playing softball is maintaining mental health

Playing softball is not only healthy physically, but also mentally. Doing physical activities that you like and together can certainly reduce stress, anxiety, improve mood, and improve overall well-being. Togetherness and friendship between fellow players and the community gives a sense of happiness which is healthy for the mind.

Potential for Injuries in the Sport of Softball

Apart from the health benefits, any physical activity or sport is certainly not free from the risk of injury, and softball is no different. Doesn’t it sound as safe as its name? However, when compared with the many health benefits obtained, the risk of injury playing softball can be managed and even minimized.

“According to data from the American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP] in 2013, as many as 1,236 softball and baseball sports participants consulted at the hospital because they suffered injuries while playing.”

In the sport of softball, throwing the ball by the player who serves as the pitcher is the most dominant part. Therefore, this position is also the most risky for causing injury.

“The study entitled  ‘Injury Prevention Programs for Throwing Injuries in Softball Players: A Systematic Review’ found a number of risk factors for injuries to throwers in softball. Namely: decreased range of motion in the upper extremities (shoulders, upper arms, forearms and hands) and lower extremities (femur, fibula, tibia, tarsals and sole bones), unbalanced muscle strength, and fatigue.”

Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), the United States consumer product safety commission in 2007, which was quoted in an article in the Journal of Physical Education, reported that as many as 35 percent of injuries were to the upper extremities, 31 percent were to the lower extremities, 14 percent were to face, 14 percent had injuries to the ankles, 13 percent had injuries to the hands, and 11 percent each had injuries to the knees, neck and head.

In the upper extremities, the risk of injury is found to focus on the rotator cuff muscles or shoulder rotation, biceps and forearm muscles. Meanwhile, in the lower extremities, the risk focuses on the gluteal muscles or hip and hip joints.

Steps to Reduce the Risk of Injury when Playing Softball

The most important step to avoid the risk of injury in softball is that each player must use warm-up movements. Warming-up includes light running to increase body temperature, light stretching, and throwing exercises to prepare the player.

Adjusting positions and tasks based on the player’s level of ability is also said to reduce the risk of injury while training, namely:

• The lower level (beginner), simply applies the kickball style and eliminates the movement of hitting and catching the ball.
• For medium level, just do ball throwing exercises without a catcher.
• High level, can  apply all the movement components in softball but at a slow or gentle intensity.

The next step that is considered to help reduce the risk of injury is to equip players with the skills and knowledge to play softball safely and correctly.

For example, protect your face and eyes with gloves from exposure to sunlight which has the potential to burn your facial skin when catching the ball. Or apply the rule of wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from the dangers of sun exposure.

Lastly, namely ensuring the safety of the field and the playing equipment they use during matches or training. For example, a flat field surface without holes or bumps that could endanger players, completeness and good quality of softball playing equipment such as balls, gloves, ball bats and so on.

How to Manage the Risk of Injury

Taking up any sport, including softball, definitely carries a risk of injury. However, apart from being able to be handled and treated if an injury occurs, the risk of injury itself can even be avoided or minimized. The way to do this is to ensure your own readiness and ability to do the sport.

If you have an interest in playing softball to get the health benefits of playing softball, or even make it a profession, namely a professional softball player who takes part in matches, don’t hesitate to consult a trusted and experienced doctor via the Good Doctor application, to find out more about physical preparation. what you can do to achieve your sports goals.

Our partner doctors are ready to serve you 24/7. Immediately download the Good Doctor application here.