OH! Magazine - Australian Version February 2014 (Australian Version) | Page 11

PAUL BROWN INJURED DOES NOT MEAN INCAPACITATED www.50sports.org ( Exercise Adherence ) Paul Brown dispels the myth that exercise should be entirely avoided when you are recovering from an injury. ave you ever let an injury or minor ailment derail your entire exercise regime, only to discover getting back on track was all the more harder? Our eightyear-old son recently broke his wrist in a gymnastics accident and the many weeks his arm was in a cast reminded me how important it is to keep active and work around an injury whenever it’s safely possible. It also reminded me of those kids at school who would bring in a note excusing them from sport because of some minor ailment. They would sit on the side watching, bored, lonely and for certain their bodies were worse off as a result. In adulthood I am often equally amazed at how many gym-goers seek to put their membership on hold when they suffer a minor, isolated injury; treating it as if it has disabled their entire body. In truth this course of action actually reflects their underlying attitude to exercise, and a lack of understanding of how the body really works. Of course, you have to take care and be responsible about injury care and I would never condone ignoring an injury or putting one’s wellbeing at risk. But, at the same time you have to listen to your body and if you understand how important activity is to every aspect of your life, as well as its quality, you will take the view that just because part of you is not 100 per cent right today, that does not mean all of you has to slump into hibernation. You have to use common sense in what activities you choose to continue so as to not further aggravate your injury, but if you simply take ‘time off’ while your injury heals, the rest of your body can slip into a downward spiral, losing much of the condition you have worked H hard for, making the road back to fitness an even harder one. When you consult with your physician and qualified fitness professionals, you’ll see that in many cases an injury can be safely worked around to maintain your overall stamina, strength and healthy body weight. Many research studies have even proven that activity on one area of the body can provide accelerated healing benefits to other parts, as a result of stimulating blood flow and promoting greater absorption, delivery and use of nutrients to the affected region (e.g., calcium to broken bones). Another issue with injury management is maintaining your motivation and positive state of mind. If you take your workouts or sport seriously, then being sidelined can be a very frustrating experience. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or novice, exercise releases endorphins that keep your mind alert and your attitude positive, offsetting the negative effects that the stress of being unable to participate or compete can bring on. So, it’s when you’re feeling at your least capable, that you’ll perhaps benefit most from exercising. The bottom line is, injured does not mean incapacitated, so from the moment your usual routine is interrupted by an unforseen accident, or even an overuse syndrome, set up a smart plan to safely keep your body moving and your mind alert. Then, when you do get the all-clear from your medico, you’ll be back at your best quicker, and well and truly ready for the next phase of your health and fitness journey. ( OH! MAGAZINE ) ISSUE 7 11