Sometimes, there is more misinformation in this world about certain things than basic information. Sports are one such thing. There is no limit to the number of myths about sports. For example, there are many myths about incurring sports injuries, recovering from those injuries, avoiding those injuries in the first place, and so on.
But as people become more aware and educated, many sports injury-related myths are getting busted. No one can deny the benefits of healthy physical activities, and sports are the most productive and fun way of engaging one’s body in activity. But there are a lot of myths attached to sports injuries.
As an aspiring athlete or even professional, if you believe some myths about sports-related injuries, you can harm your entire career if you put your treatment at stake due to these myths. So, here we debunk five common sports injury myths.
Rest is Best
If you incur a sports injury, you will hear the suggestion that you should just give the affected body part rest. For example, giving rest to your arm in case of a tennis elbow will take all the pain away. Although some rest is good, but just giving your body rest will never cure or treat the injury.
Suppose you get a sports injury or incur an injury while performing a specific activity. In that case, you should repeat that activity, as movement enables blood and oxygen flow to the affected area. But do it slowly and lightly.
Feeling soreness and fatigue after an activity is alright, but if you feel constant pain, the best thing to do is get checked by a healthcare professional. In case of a sports injury, physio treatment will relieve your pain, and you will be able to do exercises or activities with the same high intensity just like before because a physiotherapist will make you do the right gentle exercises. Giving your body complete rest might not be ideal since activity, a gentle one too, helps in recovery.
Stretching Before Exercise Prevents Injury
This one has been around for quite a long time, and recent studies have dismissed this notion. It’s usually stated that stretching before a workout session reduces the chances of incurring injuries. But research shows that holding a stretch for longer than a few seconds i.e., static stretching weakens the muscles instead of preparing the muscles for a workout, increasing the chances of getting an injury.
To avoid injuries during workouts and sports sessions, it’s recommended to do a warm-up routine instead of stretching. Do a lighter version of your actual activity or light running drill to warm up your body. Do light jogs, some easy practice shots, etc. to get your body warm and prime the tendons and muscles before a session. Stretching incorporated as a part of dynamic movement is not bad for muscles like high knees, squats, and lunges. But static stretching alone hampers the performance of muscles.
It’s Not Broken if You Can Move It
It might be the most dangerous sports myth, as it can lead to serious consequences. People say if you feel pain in a body part, but you can move it, then you have not gotten injured. But you can move a body part even when there is a fracture. Like in the case of minor fractures or breaks in the outer bones of the arm, elbow, lower leg, toes, and feet, you will still have movement in these areas despite there being a fracture. This doesn’t mean you can ignore the fracture.
Not taking the fracture seriously can lead to terrible consequences. Most people wrongly self-diagnose pain as a minor injury when they can still do the complete movement. However, it can lead to severe pain and swelling. Fractures or breaks occur in bones due to trauma like a fall that directly impacts it or from repetitive movements. It’s a sign of poor bone health. Symptoms include bruising, tenderness, continuous pain, and swelling. If you feel such symptoms, it might be something serious, so get yourself checked by a professional healthcare provider.
No Pain, No Gain
Who has not heard this one? It’s probably the most overused statement, with people making it their mantra in life. But in sports, it’s not more than a myth. Usually, people say that they are fighting through the pain or have high pain tolerance, and it’s okay or even good to feel pain. Most coaches tell athletes that they need to feel the pain as it means they are doing the activity correctly. But this is a big misconception.
Sports are not meant to be painful. Exercising and sports are meant to be fun and beneficial. If you feel pain for longer periods after exercise or sports activity, you must consult a doctor immediately. Ignoring the pain will lead you to suffer from serious injuries, and you might not be able to participate in your favorite sport for quite some time.
It’s normal to feel muscle burn from exertion and doing a sport or activity, but it’s not like feeling pain. It’s okay if you feel sore after a workout, but feeling pain is different and requires attention. If you put off your visit to a doctor, you will be gaining nothing from all the pain except the high chances of injury.
Strength Training Means No Injuries
Strength training increases muscle mass and makes you a strong person. But no way can muscle strength stop you from getting injured during sports or exercise activities. People believe being strong means you can prevent injuries, but have you never seen a strong athlete facing injury? People have become obsessed with strength training, not realizing that, actually, too much strength training can badly affect your muscles.
If you do sports or work out while you are dehydrated or tired, you can still rupture a tendon or a muscle, no matter how strong you are. Similarly, strength training puts a lot of pressure on the muscles; hence, you need to give your body rest for the muscles to recover, and it’s not suggested to do strength training on consecutive days. If you do a lot of weight lifting or resistance training with high intensity every day, there are more chances of damaging your muscles and getting injured instead of building strength. The key is to do it every other day, starting with low intensity and building up strength gradually.
Conclusion
There are many myths about avoiding sports injuries or becoming a better athlete. Some myths about being good at sports can lead to injuries, while others prevent the right treatment and recovery. Here, we are debunking five common sports injury myths. Read them and protect yourself from getting injured.