How can fitness levels cause injuries

A way in which you could prevent this is to wear an elbow brace when training which could help prevent the tears to the muscle tissue.

Age: Depending on the age of the athlete there will need to be special considerations put in place to ensure they do not get injured when playing the sport, for example an exercise that is suitable for a teenager may not be suitable for a young child or an elderly person such as high intensity circuit training as the young child and elderly person will not have the muscular endurance or cardiovascular endurance to work at this intensity the same as a teenager.

Fitness level: If an athlete is physically fit and maintains this high level of speed and aerobic endurance will in turn make the athlete quicker, more efficient and controlled reducing the risk of injury to the athlete. This is because if the athlete is training at a high level then their fitness level drops suddenly but they are still training at this level they could run the risk of pulling muscles or passing out due to the intensity being too high for their fitness level.

Growth development: Young athletes who are still growing and developing could potentially face a higher risk of injury than a fully developed athlete. Previous injury history: When an athlete injures a part of their body this body part may never fully recover and become weaker and become more prone to injury, this is why proper rehabilitation is needed when an athlete suffers an injury.

Flexibility: Flexibility is important to help reduce the risk of injuries as it makes the range of movement at a joint greater therefore reducing the risk of injury at that particular joint. If the athlete does not have good flexibility at a joint this may cause tightness and force another body part to compensate for this, for example tightness in the hamstrings could cause lower back problems.

If high BMI reflects a larger percentage of body fat relative to height, injury risk might be increased because the additional fat would increase the intensity of physical activity, leading to more rapid fatigue and repetitive stress on the musculoskeletal system. Low BMI may make Soldiers more susceptible to injury if they lack the muscle mass or strength in the supportive structures ligaments, bones required to perform certain physical tasks, and if they overexert or overuse the available muscle mass or supportive structures.

Studies in basic combat training show that both high and low BMI increases injury risk. An overuse injury typically stems from:. Although an overuse injury can happen to anyone, you may be more prone to this type of injury if you have certain medical conditions. Overuse injuries are also more likely to occur as you get older — especially if you don't recognize the impact aging can have on your body and modify your routine accordingly.

For these reasons, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting a new activity or ramping up your current routine. Your doctor may offer tips to help make physical activity safer for you. If you have a muscle weakness in your hip, for example, your doctor may show you exercises to address the problem and prevent knee pain.

Use proper form and gear. Whether you're starting a new activity or you've been playing a sport for a long time, consider taking lessons. Using the correct technique is crucial to preventing overuse injuries.

Also make sure you wear proper shoes for the activity. Consider replacing your shoes for every to miles you walk or run — or at least twice a year if you regularly exercise. Pace yourself. If you're starting a new fitness program, avoid becoming a weekend warrior.

Compressing your physical activity for the week into two days can lead to an overuse injury. Instead, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day. If you don't have time for a full 30 minutes, you can break it down into smaller blocks of activity throughout the day. It's also a good idea to take time to warm up before physical activity and cool down afterward.

Mix up your routine with cross-training. Instead of focusing on one type of exercise, build variety into your fitness program. Incorporating a variety of low-impact activities — such as walking, biking, swimming and water jogging — can help prevent overuse injuries by allowing your body to use different muscle groups and not overload any one particular group.

And be sure to include strength training for the major muscle groups in your arms, legs and core at least twice a week. If you suspect that you have an overuse injury, consult your doctor. He or she will likely ask you to take a break from the activity that caused the injury, but you may be able to perform alternative training as long as it does not stress the involved body part.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you've recently made changes in your workout technique, intensity, duration, frequency or types of exercises. Identifying the cause of your overuse injury will help you correct the problem and avoid repeating it.

When you think the overuse injury has healed, ask your doctor to check that you've completely regained strength, motion, flexibility and balance before beginning the activity again. When you return to your activity, pay special attention to proper technique to avoid future injuries.

Don't allow an overuse injury to prevent you from being physically active. By working with your doctor, listening to your body and pacing yourself, you can avoid this common setback and safely increase your activity level. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

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