What is an example of a non-contact injury in sports?

A non-contact injury occurs when an athlete sustains an injury without direct physical contact with another player or object. An ACL tear during a pivoting motion is a prime example of a non-contact injury. This type of injury typically happens when an athlete changes direction rapidly or lands awkwardly, causing stress on the knee ligaments without any external force applied to the joint.

In contrast, injuries such as an ankle sprain from landing on another player or a fractured wrist from falling involve direct contact or impact, categorizing them as contact injuries rather than non-contact. Similarly, a hamstring strain while running can also occur due to overexertion or muscle fatigue without direct contact, but in some contexts, it may still involve factors related to physical exertion rather than being purely non-contact. Thus, the ACL tear during the pivot, occurring solely from the athlete's movement, solidly fits the definition of a non-contact injury.