Ultimate, played with a flying disc, has existed since the early 1970's and has exponentially increased in interest among college students, as well as young athletes.
It's a limited contact sport that combines elements of soccer, football, and basketball. Players must run, cut, guard, jump, throw, catch, and sometimes dive with outstretched arms for the flying disc.
Because of the high level of endurance and the intricate movement patterns required in flying disc games, this limited contact sport can sideline any athlete because of its demands.
Because movements in Ultimate are similar to football, soccer, and basketball, most injuries are due to overuse.
The most common injuries occurring in ultimate flying disc include:
Any young athlete that experiences pain or soreness for more than 48 hours, should be evaluated by a medical professional.
The experts at UPMC Sports Medicine's Young Athlete Program can work with your pediatrician to evaluate and aggressively treat your young athlete's injury to help prevent more serious long-term effects.
Ultimate players cut, guard, jump, throw, catch and dive with an outstretched arm for 60 to 90 minutes.
It's common for players to have multiple games, playing up to an average of six games in a two-day tournament. This can result in five to 15 miles of running in two days.
Sometimes players also are not ready for the intricate sequences of movement and fast reactions required of ultimate flying disc, which can lead to injury.
The best ways to prevent injuries include:
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) provides stability for an athlete to land and cut or pivot.
When the front thigh muscles contract to help with stabilization, the ACL is stressed, increasing the risk of injury. Learning to use other muscles to help with stability can reduce the risk of an ACL tear by 82 percent.
To schedule an appointment with a physician or other Sports Medicine expert, call 1-855-937-7678.
UPMC Rooney Sports Complex
3200 S. Water St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex
8000 Cranberry Springs Drive
Cranberry Township, PA 16066