Those who have suffered injuries to their body, whether through exercise-related injuries, improper postures, or incorrect weight carrying, already know the complex effects that this can have on their lives, particularly when practicing sports. After all, because of an injury, many people’s exercise routine needs to change in many ways, not only immediately but over time.
For instance, joint injuries may affect bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, synovial membrane, or synovial bursae, causing a much longer process of recovery than injuries in muscles, cramps, or contractures, which are relatively simple to treat. Another illustration is a type of tendon injury that, when left untreated, can result in complications like dislocation, tendonitis, or even a complete or partial bone fracture due to simple factors like wearing the incorrect type of sport footwear.
These complications can lead to a long-term change in one’s sporting routine. If you have suffered this type of injury, you should consider a long-term change in your sporting life.
The good news is that even when there have been injuries to the body, there are sports alternatives that allow people to remain active without putting their physical health at risk. We must make it clear that ignoring injuries and continuing to exercise as if nothing had happened can improve their symptoms and effects. However, it is also important for injured people to know what kind of exercise they have available in order to keep their level of physical activity up. Here are some examples:
Swimming
When we talk about exercises that we can do beyond an injury, swimming is always at the top of the list. Swimming, a great sport that benefits the entire body, never puts pressure on or impacts any part of the body, as it relies on the water’s weight for balance. In fact, doctors often advise people with injuries, particularly those suffering from knee injuries and osteoarthritis, to practice swimming. Swimming, when executed with proper mechanics and training, is one of the most calorie-intensive activities, activating all your muscles and reducing the risk of injury.
Yoga
While it may not be the most recommended sport for burning calories, it does provide significant benefits in terms of muscle strengthening, increased flexibility, and most importantly, taking care of your body. It can serve as an activity to maintain your mobility in the event of injuries, not only keeping you active but also promoting awareness and care for your body.
Pilates
Activities like Pilates, based on the same foundation as yoga, will provide you with tools for learning to listen to your body and know its limits, as well as how to strengthen it organically and completely.
Elliptical
If you enjoy running but sustain injuries, such as in your knees, this cardio could help you resume your activity. These machines maintain your caloric intake and provide the benefits of cardiovascular exercise without causing any harm to your joints.
Other considerations
If you have suffered an injury and want to return to sports, it is extremely important that you obtain such permission from a professional and not act against his advice, as you prolong the pain and complications of your potential injury. We also recommend learning how to listen to your body in terms of what it can and cannot do without demanding too much from it while you recover.
It is always good to revert to the basics: warm up and cool down properly before and after an exercise/workout or activity; drink plenty of water; wear proper footwear; move with caution; and get massages to relax your muscles.
