Are injuries more common and if so why?

[5kgLifter]

I was going to place this in the General Board area but this seemed equally as appropriate a location.




This is more of a sports related question/discussion because I'm not sure that injuries have become more common in PLing etc anyway; though, we do read of numerous shoulder rehabs going on at any one time, so it may be relevant there as well.


Watching sports it's very apparent that a lot of athletic sports tape seems to be used of late with lots of sports people (javelin throwers, shotputtes, track event people...etc) all competing with areas heavily strapped.

We see constant injuries in football (USA soccer), which in my opinion are due to the flimsier gear, then shin pads, thin socks, flimsy football shoes, in addition to the very lean football player in comparison to those of the 1970s and prior to that.

Do you feel some injuries are due to changes in approach within sports instead of using what worked previously? Are we now just pushing the boundaries a little too much and too quickly with less regard to recuperation and so forth?

Are we even seeing injuries that were never an isue in previous years; I once read that the rotator cuff was not even mentioned in the older publications but it's very prevalent in many today...which is kind of interesting in itself.



So, in short, do you feel there are more injuries, these days, in sports, across the board? And, if so, why?...and likewise if you think there aren't, please chime in.

[Shorts]

Everyone is in the race to bigger, faster, and/or stronger these days. That's not to say that I don't fele the same way, as I do. But most people are pushing their envelope EVERY SINGLE DAY, and it just isn't possible to maintain such a pace. It is also important that these days, so many people are focused on what everyone else things, or where they stand compared to some other person, that they lose sight of what their own body is capable of.

I think that with the advancements of equipment in sports (lighter, but supposedly just as strong) you are seeing reduction in actual padding and athletes aren't used to it, so what may have been protected before might not be there now and it is leading to an injury.

Areas that often haven't been an issue before (i.e. rotator cuff) are starting to come about more often because as you push the limits of your body, the areas that aren't used to that stress constantly can't handle it.

The thing is, people will adapt, and I don't think you will see a slowing of progression. Though, I think that might be what is needed, or at least a plateau before moving on to the next "best" thing.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by 5kgLifter

So, in short, do you feel there are more injuries, these days, in sports, across the board? And, if so, why?...and likewise if you think there aren't, please chime in.

Good question. I don't necessarily have the answer, but I do know that in some sports guys used to just buck up and get out on the field. These days athletes seem to be viewed more as investments. One twinge and they are off the field. At least in sports like baseball.