In What Cases May a Non-Athlete Need a Sports Doctor?

Sports doctors work not only with athletes. An ordinary person, not an athlete, does not always get to a rehabilitation specialist after an injury, for example, a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee. In the clinic, they are advised to rest, put on a cast for a month, and as a result, have limited leg mobility and impaired gait. A person cannot return to a full life; they will be limited, including not being able to play amateur sports. This can be avoided by contacting a sports doctor who properly deals with recovery. Is It Necessary to Consult With a Sports Doctor Before Starting to Exercise? It is worth consulting with your family doctor before starting any workout because everyone has chronic diseases. In addition, physical activity is often thought of by people who are facing health problems, being overweight or both. It is not necessary to look for a sports medicine doctor. You can go to a therapist – ask what kind of sport is best for you and how to modify your activity. For example, an obese person wanting to solve this problem by running is a bad idea. Running is a sport that is good for healthy people. Any excess weight is an additional burden on the joints of the lower extremities, and sports with impact loads, such as running, jumping, and the like, will only add more joint problems. Also, with obesity, you shouldn’t do physical activity alone - you need to change your lifestyle and nutrition. A doctor can recommend how to do it properly. In addition, some sports may be contraindicated in the cases of various chronic diseases. What level of physical activity does each person need on average? WHO recommends the following; - Children and teens under 18 need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day: running, calisthenics, or other. - Adults need 150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75-100 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week. This, for example, two or three workouts in the gym. As for the elderly and people with chronic diseases can do any physical activity they can tolerate; even walking is beneficial. Which types of physical activity are best for amateurs? The most useful, in my professional opinion, is physical activity without excessive shock or axial load, impacting the joints. This may include: - Swimming in the pool; - Exercise bike; - Ski trips. For amateurs, running is most likely not an option –– a certain level of physical health is needed there, and the correct running technique and shoes are important. Running is a way to keep fit, not achieve it from scratch. Contact sports may also be a questionable option. For example, in amateur football, when the dedication goes off-scale, and the technique is low, the risk of injury is very high. The same applies to many winter sports, in particular ice skating and trips to ski resorts. It is also fraught with injury. The more measured the activity and the less the likelihood of contact with another person, the safer the sport. However, personal preferences should be taken into account when choosing. Which is better for health –– moderate physical activity or active sports? Moderate physical activity is enough to maintain health. However, much depends on the goals. If a person trains to be in shape, not to choke when they climb the stairs to the second floor, then a couple of medium-intensity workouts per week are enough. For a person to l be comfortable, in the evening they can stay with their family or work, and not just fall unconscious from exhaustion. If a person has a passion for sports and wants to develop in the chosen sport, then the improvement of sports performance will be an incentive to continue exercising. Here it is important to stay within reason –– do not chase records and move gradually.