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Common Exercising Mistakes That Cause Joint Injuries

woman standing near treadmill lot

While exercise is essential to maintain a healthy body, many individuals put themselves at unnecessary risk of injury. The best example of this would be a joint injury, where the joints of the body are hurt due to too much stress, wearing improper equipment, and many different reasons.

This is true because many people are not aware that what they are doing is hurting their joints. In other words, the knowledge of the mistakes that lead to joint injuries is vital to stay injury-free. 

Exercising mistakes that cause joint injuries

There are many reasons joint injuries are, unfortunately, common.  

First, an individual could be wearing shoes that do not fit or serve his or her needs. This usually happens when a person heads to a shoe store and looks for the cheapest option available.

When this occurs, the shoe they bought might not be suited for the type of exercise it is going to be used in. Even if it is the right kind of shoe, however, it might be so cheaply made that it barely achieves what it is intended to do. As a result, injuries occur.

For example, while running shoes help with motion control, they do not offer much ankle support. When this kind of shoe is used in basketball, the individual puts himself or herself at risk of an ankle-related injury. 

Second, an individual could be working too hard too quickly. This is especially common in beginners who are only getting started with regular exercise. When they find a new exercise program, they become filled with motivation and determination—sometimes, too much of it. Before they know it, they have turned an hour-long program into a 3-hour routine, ending with knee pain that puts them out for weeks.  

Third, skipping warmups, cooldowns, and stretches can cause joint injuries. This is a mistake many people make, especially those who are just getting started with exercise. That is because they are usually unaware of these warmups and cooldowns, both of which are integral in any activity.

This can also be a problem in seasoned athletes who are rushing through a workout or not going through enough warmups and cooldowns. When a person’s muscles and joints are not primed for physical activity, they are much more prone to getting hurt.

Fourth and finally, repetitive exercises can also lead to joint injuries. When a part of a body is used repeatedly, the muscles and joints do not have time to rest and recover. This means that the next time the same workout is carried out, that part of the body becomes even more prone to some form of injury. In other words, too much of a good thing can actually be harmful. 

Conclusion

The best way to address any problem is to stop it from happening in the first place. While we have talked about only four causes of joint injuries, most—if not all—can be addressed with proper knowledge. This will include knowing what equipment to use, what exercising techniques to employ, and how to prepare the body for the workout. Nevertheless, while joint injuries are recoverable, stopping them from happening in the first place is the most effective way to address them. 

Dose of Healthcare is your source of health news and articles. To learn more about joint injuries or health-related concerns, check out our previous posts and stay tuned for more.