The Most Common Injuries in Men’s Sport — and How to Reduce the Risk

Whether you’re playing footy on the weekend, running marathons, or lifting in the gym, sport brings men incredible benefits — fitness, camaraderie, mental health, and the thrill of competition. But it also comes with risk. Men’s sport is full of high-speed collisions, sudden pivots, and heavy loads that put the body under pressure. The result? Injuries that can bench even the fittest athletes.

At Supacore, we’ve worked with athletes at every level — from grassroots to elite — and we’ve seen how common sports injuries can be. The good news is that most injuries aren’t just bad luck; they can be prevented or reduced with the right preparation, equipment, and recovery strategies.

In this article, we’ll break down the most common injuries in men’s sport and share practical ways to protect your body so you can stay in the game for longer.

1. Hamstring Strains

Hamstring strains are one of the most frequent injuries in men’s sport, especially in football, rugby, soccer, and sprinting. The hamstrings are under huge demand in explosive movements like sprinting, kicking, or suddenly changing direction.

Why they happen:

• Weak or tight hamstrings compared to the quads
• Sudden acceleration or overstretching
• Inadequate warm-up or fatigue
  

How to reduce the risk:

• Prioritise eccentric strength training (such as Nordic curls)
• Dynamic warm-ups before training or matches
• Consistent mobility work
  Wearing targeted compression gear like Supacore CORETECH® shorts, which support the hamstring and hip to stabilise movement
  

2. Groin Injuries

Groin strains or tears are notorious in sports involving rapid changes of direction — AFL, soccer, basketball, and hockey. The adductor muscles work hard to stabilise the hip, but if overloaded, they can tear.

Why they happen:

• Sudden lateral movement or twisting
• Weak core and pelvic stability
• Poor load management (playing too much, too soon)
  

How to reduce the risk:

• Strengthen the adductors, glutes, and core
• Gradually increase training intensity
• Maintain good hip flexibility
• Use CORETECH® compression, clinically proven to help prevent and rehabilitate groin and osteitis pubis injuries

3. Knee Injuries (Including ACL Tears)

Few injuries strike fear into athletes like an ACL tear. Men in high-impact sports — AFL, rugby, basketball, and skiing — are particularly vulnerable. But knee pain and sprains in general are widespread.

Why they happen:

• Sudden stops, twists, or awkward landings
• Weak hips and glutes putting extra load on the knee
• Previous injuries creating instability

How to reduce the risk:

• Focus on lower-body strength, especially the hips and glutes
• Work on jump landing mechanics
• Don’t overload training volume — give joints time to recover
• Support the knee with compression leggings that stabilise hips and reduce unwanted strain

4. Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are among the most common — and frustrating — injuries for male athletes. They can happen in almost any sport, from running on uneven ground to landing awkwardly after a rebound.

Why they happen:

• Rolling the ankle outward (inversion sprain)
• Weak or fatigued stabilising muscles
• Poor balance or proprioception
  

How to reduce the risk:

• Include balance and proprioceptive training (single-leg hops, wobble board drills)
• Strengthen the calves and peroneal muscles
• Wear shoes suited to your sport
• Use supportive compression around the ankle to improve joint awareness and reduce swelling if injured

5. Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain isn’t limited to older men — it’s common in younger athletes too, particularly in sports that involve heavy lifting, running, or repetitive twisting (cricket, golf, rowing).

Why it happens:

• Weak or imbalanced core muscles
• Poor posture or technique (especially in lifting)
• Overuse and lack of recovery

How to reduce the risk:

• Strengthen the deep core and glutes to protect the spine
• Maintain flexibility in the hamstrings and hips
• Perfect lifting and movement technique
• Consider supportive gear like compression shorts, which can stabilise the pelvis and relieve load on the lower back

6. Shoulder Injuries

Men in contact or overhead sports — rugby, swimming, tennis, and basketball — often suffer shoulder issues, ranging from dislocations to rotator cuff strains.

Why they happen:

• Repetitive overhead motion
• Direct impact in contact sports
• Muscle imbalances around the shoulder joint
  

How to reduce the risk:

• Strengthen the rotator cuff and scapular stabilisers
• Avoid muscle imbalance (don’t skip back day)
• Warm up with shoulder mobility drills before overhead movements
• Use correct tackling or lifting technique to avoid unnecessary stress
  

7. Concussions

While not a muscle or joint injury, concussions are increasingly recognised as a serious risk in men’s sport, especially in AFL, rugby, boxing, and contact sports.

Why they happen:

• Direct blow to the head or whiplash from body contact
• Inadequate protective technique or equipment

How to reduce the risk:

• Prioritise proper tackling and landing techniques
• Always wear appropriate protective gear (mouthguards, helmets where applicable)
• Take every knock seriously — never “play through” a concussion

Recovery Matters as Much as Prevention

Even with the best training and preparation, injuries can still happen. That’s why recovery is just as important as prevention. Ignoring early signs of strain or pushing through pain often turns a small issue into a bigger setback.

Smart recovery strategies include:

• Active recovery (light movement, mobility work)
• Ice, heat, and compression to manage soreness
• Prioritising sleep and nutrition
• Listening to your body — rest when needed
• Using medical-grade compression wear like Supacore CORETECH®, which aids blood flow, reduces muscle vibration, and accelerates healing

Why Compression Wear Helps Men Stay Injury-Free

Supacore’s patented CORETECH® technology isn’t just another pair of tights. It’s medically engineered to stabilise the pelvis, hips, and core — the foundation of most sporting movement. By supporting these key areas, compression wear can:

• Reduce the risk of hamstring, groin, and lower back injuries
• Improve recovery time between sessions
• Provide extra support during high-intensity training or competition
• Help athletes return to play safely after injury

For men’s sport, where speed, strength, and agility are non-negotiable, having the right gear is a game-changer.

Final Thoughts

Injuries might be common in men’s sport, but they don’t have to be inevitable. By understanding the risks, strengthening your body, and using tools like medical-grade compression wear, you can stay fitter, stronger, and more resilient.

Every match, every training session, every rep is a chance to build your best performance — not sit on the sidelines.

Stay strong. Stay supported. Stay in the game with Supacore.