Reducing the Risk of Injury: Environmental Factors, Clothing and Technique
Extrinsic (environmental) risk factors affect the chance of a performer being injured. Playing surface matters because a hard, wet, icy or uneven surface increases the risk of slipping or an awkward landing.
Method
- Learn the main environmental risk factors: playing surface, weather (heat and cold), and the general condition/space of the facility, and how each increases injury risk.
- Learn the specific effects of extreme heat, dehydration and heat exhaustion, and extreme cold, muscle stiffness and reduced flexibility, on a performer.
- Learn how appropriate clothing and equipment reduce injury risk, giving a named example for each: footwear/studs matched to the surface, and protective equipment, e.g. shin pads, gum shield or headgear, matched to the sport.
- Learn how correct technique reduces injury, using a specific example, such as bending the knees on landing, or correct tackling technique keeping the head out of a collision.
- Learn the role of officials and rules in reducing injury risk, e.g. penalising dangerous play or checking equipment before a match.
- When given a scenario, a named sport, weather, surface, identify the specific extrinsic risk factor present and match it to a specific, practical prevention measure, rather than a generic answer.
- This topic focuses on extrinsic, environmental, equipment and technique factors; injury classification and general prevention principles are covered in more detail elsewhere.
Worked example
A five-a-side football match is due to be played outdoors on a cold, wet evening in December, on a pitch with some worn, muddy patches. Identify two environmental risk factors present in this scenario, and explain one practical measure that could reduce the risk from each.
- Identify the first risk factor: cold, wet weather, which can cause muscle stiffness, reduce grip and increase the risk of slipping.
- Give a measure for this factor: players should complete a thorough, extended warm-up to raise muscle temperature before playing, and wear suitable warm clothing while not directly involved in play.
- Identify the second risk factor: the muddy, worn patches on the playing surface, which increase the risk of slipping or an awkward landing.
- Give a measure for this factor: players should wear studded boots suited to soft, muddy ground to improve grip, and officials or coaches should check the pitch and avoid the worst areas where possible.
- Summarise the answer: the cold, wet weather and the poor playing surface are both environmental risk factors, and they can be reduced through an extended warm-up plus warm clothing, and through wearing appropriate studded footwear.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Q1Give one way that a hard, dry playing surface can increase the risk of injury.Show answer
Answer: It can increase the impact forces on joints when landing or falling, increasing the risk of sprains, strains or fractures.
Q2State one effect of playing sport in very hot weather.Show answer
Answer: An increased risk of dehydration or heat exhaustion.
Q3Give one piece of protective equipment used in hockey, and state what injury it helps prevent.Show answer
Answer: A gum shield, which helps prevent injury to the teeth and jaw from a stick or ball impact (shin pads, preventing impact injury to the shin, is also acceptable).
Q4Explain why studded football boots reduce injury risk on a soft, grassy pitch.Show answer
Answer: Because the studs dig into the surface, improving grip and reducing the chance of a player slipping and falling awkwardly.
Q5Give one example of how correct technique can reduce the risk of injury when landing from a jump.Show answer
Answer: Landing with bent knees, rather than straight legs, absorbs the impact force gradually through the leg muscles rather than transmitting it directly into the joints and bones.
Q6State one role officials play in reducing the risk of injury during a match.Show answer
Answer: Enforcing the rules of the sport, e.g. penalising dangerous tackles or checking that players' equipment is safe and correctly worn before play.
Q7Explain why cold weather increases the risk of muscle strains.Show answer
Answer: Because cold reduces muscle temperature and elasticity, making muscles stiffer and less able to stretch safely, so they are more likely to be strained during sudden or forceful movements.
Q8Give one example of appropriate clothing that would help reduce injury risk for a cyclist.Show answer
Answer: A correctly fitted helmet, which protects the head from impact injury in a fall or collision.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a GCSE Physical Education exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A rugby player is preparing to play a match on a frozen, hard pitch in winter. Identify two measures the player or club could take to reduce the risk of injury, and explain how each measure helps.
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Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
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Discuss how environmental factors, clothing and technique together affect the risk of injury for a hockey player during an outdoor match.
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Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 6 available
See real GCSE Physical Education past-paper questions, with official mark schemes →
Free printable worksheet
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