Graded Exposure

Everything is achievable if we have enough time and patience to learn properly and train regularly. However, in an attempt to achieve our goals or learn a new activity, we can end up with a new injury or reawaken an old wound.

It is not that any particular sport or class is good or bad, as no discipline holds the holy grail of fitness and good health, it is what makes our hearts sing that is good for us. 

It is the lack of understanding of what we call “graded exposure” when starting a new or returning to an old activity after a break that can lead to injury. 

Equally the lack of understanding that fitness in one activity does not translate into fitness in another: you might be an accomplished runner but that won’t protect you whilst doing a yoga class for the first time! 

My personal experience is that the frequency of injury during training, due to pushing it a little too hard or doing something new (which I refer to as “out of character”), considerably out-numbers actual direct trauma while playing a sport.

To protect yourself from injury, start gently and ease into activity gradually by increasing it in small steps. Treat the venture as if it was a walk up a gentle slope, step by step…. As I mentioned “graded exposure”

This also applies to any DIY that has been neglected, the garden that hasn’t been attended to or the flowerpots that need shifting. 

However, also remember that a little soreness after any activity is safe and even desirable, it’s just a question of degree. 

Stay active but stay safe and remember our mantras “Motion is lotion” & “Sore is Safe”.