March 23, 2014 By Andrea Oh
TodaysFitnessTrainer.com
For some of us, exercising and working out is a “religion”. We look forward to our workouts because of how exercising makes us look and feel, what it does for our self-esteem, and how it provides an emotional “break” from everyday life. Although the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends some moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week (if not all) but some fitness enthusiasts take it a bit too far. For example, some may spend an hour every day, while other may come two or three times each day for different workouts or classes. Regardless, these individuals show up to they gym because they LOVE it. Unfortunately, too much training can result in overuse injuries that can get in between you and your workouts.
What are Overuse Injuries?
Injuries can be a major setback to any workout program. There are generally two types:
Acute injuries – usually the result of a single, traumatic event (i.e., bone fractures, joint sprains and dislocations, and muscle strains)
Overuse (or chronic) injuries – are the result of repeated micro-tearing of soft tissues (i.e., tendons, bones, and joints)
Overuse injuries typically occur over time and aren’t detectable until it’s too late. Common examples of overuse injuries include:
Tennis elbow (outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender)
Swimmer’s shoulder (pain located in the shoulder capsule due to the inflammation of the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles; typically caused by repeated overhead movements)
Runner’s knee (pain behind or around the kneecap, especially where the thighbone and the kneecap meet)
Jumper’s knee (pain at the point where the kneecap tendon attaches to the bone of the lower leg)
Achilles tendinitis (tightness and pain in the thick tendon behind the ankle)
Shin splints (pain along the inner edge of the shinbone)
Plantar fasciitis (pain felt on the underside of the heel)
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