The country song goes: “I’m not as good as I once was; but I’m as good once as I ever was.” Which is just a poetic way of saying “hold my beer.” Famous last words before your trip to the ER.
Why do Sports Injuries Occur in Adults?
Now there’s nothing inheritably wrong with adults playing sports, we just need to gauge ourselves.
- Decreased Fitness: Non-professional adult athletes usually have a lower level of physical fitness, strength, endurance and muscle tone as professionals or even their previous younger selves.
- Decreased Training: Adults do not have the time to practice and train like youth athletes.
- Jobs: Most adults have sedimentary and/or monotonous jobs in which our body’s actually de-condition.
- Age: As much as I don’t want to say this, and you want to hear it even less; we can’t outrun Father Time. As we age, our bodies become less forgiving.
There are two types of adult non-professional adult athletes.
- My wife calls them weekend warriors, those who go all out 1-2 times a week and play like they’re 17.
- Those who are in good shape and play smart and often.
Common Injuries that occur in adult athletes
Adults are also susceptible to the same injuries as youth athletes. And the same consequences as well.
Treatment of injuries in adults
Proper and timely diagnosis and treatment is key to overcoming injuries and preventing further and recurring impairment. No one has time to be injured but remember as adults we do not heal as fast as we did in our youth. Getting help for injures will ensure they heal properly and completely. Remember goals for treatment are always to
- relieve pain and inflammation
- heal the area
- stretch and strengthen
- prevent further injury
