THE HAZARDS OF SUMMER SPORTS:

New York, NY (March 1999)  --  Summer, in all its blazing, sunny glory, is back!  There's plenty of time to get out on the fairway with your golf clubs or onto a court with your racquet.  However, this also means there's time for a sports injury to put an end to your summer fun.  Golfer's elbow, climber's finger and runner's knee are just a few of the problems that can plague the boys (and girls) of summer.

Dr. Elisabeth A. Lachmann, a physiatrist at New York Weill Cornell Center of New York Presbyterian Hospital, recommends the following guidelines to help prevent sports injuries:

*  Your best bet is always to prevent injuries before they can happen.  For starters, start slow.  Don't expect to be in the same playing condition that you ended up in last fall, even if you have been maintaining your fitness level.  New activities require your muscles and joints to respond in a different way.  This may result in minor soreness until your body gets used to it.  But if you push yourself too hard, too soon, that minor soreness could turn into something more serious.

*  Don't get so excited about playing ball or tennis, etc., that you forget to warm-up.  Although you may feel warm in hot temperatures, you still have to give your muscles a chance to go through the motions, and get your blood pumping to all the necessary areas.  Gentle stretching prior to exercise may help as well.  After
you finish your activity, be sure to give those hard-working muscles a good stretch to retain or improve your flexibility.

*  For tennis elbow, runner's knee and similar injuries, try R.I.C.E.--rest, ice, compression, and elevation.  Rest means that the injured area is not put through any undue strain.  When icing a body part, you should apply  the ice in a covering so it is not in direct contact with the skin.  A cotton handkerchief is good.  Ice the affected area several times per day, for about 20 minutes at a time.  Compression is applying pressure to the injured area to stop bleeding (if it is occuring) or to reduce swelling.  Elevation helps in these respects as well.  Compression and elevation are to be used in the case of such acute injuries as a twisted ankle.

*  Take frequent breaks during the activity.  Even tennis pros rest between sets.  Taking a rest doesn't mean that you have to completely stop all activity (although it may be advisable sometimes), just rest the body parts that are working hard and are susceptible to injury.

*  Perhaps the single most important thing you can do is pay attention to your body.  Don't ignore the little aches and pains in the joints and muscles.  They are early signals that could help you prevent more serious injury.