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Young athletes’ fitness advice: Dos and Don’ts to Prevent Sports Injuries

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Young athletes’ fitness advice: Dos and Don’ts to Prevent Sports Injuries

While the goal is to prevent them, it is nevertheless useful to know what injuries are most prevalent because young athletes compete all year long and it seems like new problems are continuously developing. The knee and shoulder are the most often injured joints in athletics, followed by the other joints.

Sports injuries can be categorised into three categories: acute, overuse, and chronic, according to Dr. Sharif Dudekula, Consultant Arthroscopic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist at Medicover Hospital in Navi Mumbai.

Typical sports injuries

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According to Dr. Sharif Dudekula, the most frequent sports injuries include:

1. Sprain of the ligament holding the two bones together,

2. Strain of the muscle’s insertion tendon on the bone

3. The anterior cruciate ligament and menisci are frequently injured in knee injuries.

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4. Shoulder injuries, including anterior shoulder dislocation and rotator cuff rupture, are very prevalent.

5. Golfer’s and tennis elbow

6. Then came fractures, head injuries, plantar fasciitis, etc.

Knee Injury No. 7

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“If there is an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury following a knee injury, the patient presented with discomfort, swelling that appeared right away after the injury, an inability to bear weight, and stiffness of the joint,” he continued. All signs of meniscal damage are the same, with the exception of swelling, which develops over time.

Treatment

“In acute cases, go for ice pack treatment, knee immobiliser, enough painkillers, and intensive physiotherapy once the pain passes,” suggested Dr. Sharif Dudekula. The patient with a persistent full ACL damage had knee instability and had trouble climbing stairs. The patient then requires ACL restoration for acute circumstances similar to ACL injury caused by meniscal injuries. Depending on the condition of the menisci, patients with chronic diseases may require meniscectomy or meniscal repair.

“If there is a rotator cuff injury, the patient typically presented with discomfort, edoema, and inability to lift the hand,” he noted while discussing shoulder injuries. Along with the aforementioned symptoms, an anterior shoulder dislocation causes a deformity of the limb (attitude) in flexion, abduction, and external rotation. The patient presents to the doctor while supporting his forearm with another hand.

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In light of this, he proposed that “Treatment for shoulder injuries relies upon whether sort of injury occurred. For immediate stabilisation in acute circumstances, use an arm pouch sling, an ice pack, and enough pain medication. Once the discomfort has subsided, perform shoulder ROM and rotator cuff strengthening activities. For an acute dislocation, perform a closed reduction of the joint and 2 to 3 weeks of shoulder immobilisation before gradually restoring shoulder range of motion. Choose rotator cuff repair for persistent dislocations and Bankert’s repair or remplissage for persistent rotator cuff injuries with noticeable symptoms.

Dr. Sharif Dudekula said, “These are usually treated with rest, ice application, compression, and limb elevation and followed by adequate physiotherapy.” He emphasised that sprain and strain are typically manifested by pain, swelling, and an inability to bear weight if the injury is to the lower limb.

Dos:

Following an injury, Dr. Sharif Dudekula advised you to take good care of your limb by getting enough rest and using ice packs. He suggested:

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1. Splint or brace the affected limb.

2. Elevating the limbs to reduce swelling

3. After the damage has healed, you should receive the proper rehabilitation.

4. If there is an open fracture, use TT injection.

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Don’ts:

Dr. Sharif Dudekula advises that someone who has been hurt should stay away from:

1. hot water fusion,

2. Massage the area of the injury

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3. Postpone athletics till you’re healthy.

4. As soon as the discomfort is gone, begin range of motion exercises for the joint instead of keeping it immobile for a lengthy time.

Prevention advice

Dr. Sharif Dudekula suggested the following to avoid sports-related injuries:

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1. Shortening the sport activity’s frequency, intensity, and duration

2. Sportspeople, athletes, and those engaging in sports activities do so under the correct supervision of professionals, such as physiotherapists or qualified individuals.

3. Depending on the weather and your level of exercise, drink enough water to stay hydrated.

4. Consume enough nutrition to perform well.

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5. Use the appropriate equipment when engaging in sports or exercise.

6. Engage in appropriate muscle-strengthening exercise

7. Always warm up and stretch sufficiently before engaging in an activity or exercise, and do the same afterward.

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health and remedies

Train smarter, not harder: How taking occasional breaks from gym can revolutionise your fitness routine

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Train smarter, not harder: How taking occasional breaks from gym can revolutionise your fitness routine

Taking regular breaks from intense training, like deload weeks, helps your body recover, preventing fatigue and injury, and ultimately boosts fitness gains.

When it comes to getting fit, the idea of spending hours at the gym might come to mind, but many fitness experts argue that taking a “deload week” every six to eight weeks is actually key to improving your fitness gains. A deload week involves reducing the intensity of workouts to allow the body to recover from the fatigue and muscle damage caused by intense training.

While high-intensity training helps build strength and fitness, it can also lead to muscle strain, and without adequate recovery, these gains can’t fully materialise. Deload weeks give the body much-needed rest to repair and rebuild, ensuring continued progress. (Also read: Bhagyashree swears by this super easy exercise for instant leg pain relief and better mobility. Watch how to do it )

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Why recovery is key for muscle growth

According to an article by The Conversation, intense exercise can cause tiny tears in muscle fibres, leading to inflammation that requires rest or low-intensity exercise to heal. This inflammation is essential for muscle growth and fitness improvements. However, without proper recovery, muscles remain in a state of slight damage, preventing inflammation from resolving. This chronic state of inflammation can hinder muscle function, reducing oxygen efficiency and impairing performance. Giving muscles time to recover through rest ensures they repair properly and are primed for continued progress, setting us up for greater success in our fitness journey.

Many gymgoers fear taking time off and are worried it will lead to a loss of gains. However, research shows that muscle genes have a “memory imprint,” which keeps them in a semi-prepared state. This allows muscles to respond more quickly and effectively to future training, promoting growth after a rest period. Even after extended periods of reduced intensity, up to seven weeks, muscular fitness can be restored to prime condition—and in some cases, surpass previous levels. Interestingly, recovery can occur twice as fast as it took to reach peak fitness initially, even if some strength is lost.

Taking time off from intense training is crucial to prevent muscle soreness and avoid overtraining syndrome. Overtraining occurs when the body doesn’t get enough rest, leading to prolonged fatigue, decreased performance, and mood disturbances. Symptoms develop gradually, making overtraining difficult to recognize until it’s severe. Rest is essential to avoid these issues and ensure long-term progress in training.

Role of overtraining syndrome and deload weeks

Overtraining syndrome is challenging to quantify due to its vague symptoms. Studies suggest it may affect as few as 10% of elite athletes, though rates could climb to 60% among highly competitive individuals. Recovery is essential for both fitness and overall health. When engaging in heavy gym routines, it’s vital to incorporate sufficient recovery time into your workout plan. Unlike rest days, which involve little to no exercise once or twice a week, deload weeks feature lighter training at reduced intensity—typically about 50% fewer workouts or a 20% drop in workout intensity.

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Both rest days and deload weeks are essential for recovery and crucial to improving fitness. It’s not about choosing one over the other—they complement each other. For instance, intense training for marathons, Ironman, or CrossFit competitions requires weekly rest days alongside scheduled deload weeks. However, for recreational gym-goers exercising 1–3 times weekly at a moderate intensity, the recovery from this routine is often sufficient without the need for additional deload weeks.

Fitness influencers recommend incorporating deload weeks into training schedules every 4–8 weeks, aligning closely with the expert advice of 4–6 weeks. However, it’s crucial to listen to your body and schedule deload weeks as needed. If your performance plateaus or worsens, it may signal time for a deload. Training plans should be flexible enough to allow rest when required. Deload weeks not only enhance performance but also support overall health.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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