Who should do which sport?
Today’s lifestyle and the working conditions brought about by industrialization are leading people towards a more sedentary lifestyle.
Sedentary lifestyles are linked to an increase in both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases, which is proportional to the increase in life expectancy. In this context, exercise is becoming increasingly popular as a factor that positively affects human health, both among healthcare professionals and in a society where health awareness is growing daily. However, it is important to remember that certain activities may be harmful to some individuals. Prof. Dr. Çağatay Öztürk explains which sports certain people should avoid.
Medical examination is required before sports
The growing interest in sports has led to an increase in sports-related injuries. People of all ages who plan to exercise regularly should have their heart and lung systems checked at least once. Excessive exertion during sports can render the system, which functions normally in daily life, inadequate during sports. After this general check-up, the type of sport to be chosen is determined based on a detailed musculoskeletal examination of the patient, the purpose of the sport, and its degree of applicability.
People with back or neck problems should not lift heavy weights.
Individuals with serious back and neck problems should avoid sports that involve weight training. Sports that place excessive strain on the discs between the vertebrae are detrimental to spinal health. The best example of this is sports that involve weight training. These sports are becoming increasingly popular, especially among the younger population. Unconscious or excessive weight-bearing sports can lead to serious injuries. Since these types of sports involve excessive strain on the back and lumbar muscles, they should be combined with protective sports or exercises for the back and lumbar muscles. Otherwise, chronic back and neck pain is likely to occur at a very early age. The most effective sports recommended for spinal health are swimming and Pilates. These types of sports, which eliminate the effects of gravity and work all the back and abdominal muscles while improving fitness, should be prioritized.
If you have hip, knee, or ankle problems, avoid football, volleyball, and basketball.
Individuals with pre-existing problems in weight-bearing joints such as the hip, knee, and ankle will experience an increase in their existing problems when participating in contact sports such as football, basketball, and volleyball. If there are existing problems in weight-bearing joints, sports that strain these joints will cause the problem to worsen.
If you have a problem with your knee joint, running will increase the pain.
Persistent participation in sports involving running by someone with a meniscus problem in the knee joint will increase pain complaints. When designing exercise programs for such individuals, they should be directed toward activities that involve less use of the knee joint. This guidance should be provided by knowledgeable trainers and orthopedic specialists with expertise in athlete health. Which joint will be worked more than normal by which sport should be assessed in advance, and a personalized exercise program should be created for the patient.
If you have back pain, swim instead of going to the gym, do Pilates
Patients with back problems should focus on swimming and Pilates rather than sports like fitness.
If you have shoulder problems, don’t insist on swimming.
Patients with serious shoulder problems should not be encouraged to swim. The chosen sport must be feasible and must not strain the patient’s musculoskeletal system; it must be part of a plan. Regular exercise must be accompanied by regular and controlled nutrition. Otherwise, exercise intended to improve health may fix some things while damaging other systems.
