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
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