Many Americans are inactive or exercise at an intensity too low to derive cardiovascular benefit. As a result obesity, heart disease and diabetes rates continue to rise. The surgeon general’s report on physical activity and health, encourages physicians to prescribe exercise for patients.
To ensure success in the exercise regimen, it is important to avoid injuries, Literature reveals 30 – 50% of all sports injuries are due to overuse. Stress fractures, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, ITB syndrome are just a few overuse injuries that result from repetitive micro trauma that leads to inflammation and local tissue damage. Without proper recovery, excessive training results in an injury.
Overuse injuries tend to occur when an athlete changes the mode, intensity or duration of training too rapidly. Our bodies require a period of transition to adapt to the increased physical demands. To prevent these injuries from occurring “prehabilitation” has been introduced. Prehabilitation is a preparticipation examination to identify an individual\’s weaknesses and flexibility deficits. By addressing any significant findings through strengthening, stretching and discussing a proper training progression, it will be possible to drastically reduce the incidence of an overuse injury and maintain an active healthy lifestyle.
