There are many health issues to consider before engaging in sports. While the physical activity of sports is generally good for a body, some aspects of sports can actually harm you. Most athletes make an effort to do what is best for their health. However, some activities done with the intent of improving sports performance can lead to injury or illness.
Overtraining
Many athletes believe that their performance is tied to how hard they work. While this is generally true, the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness says working a body too hard actually decreases performance. To improve performance, an athlete must go through a cycle of work then rest. Without proper rest to heal a strained body, the athlete does not get stronger. Athletes must allow soreness to pass before taxing their muscles again.
Injury
When athletes push their bodies to perform they can get hurt. Studies by American Sports Data confirm this. Knee, hip and ankle injuries are common in all sports that requires running. Wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries are common in sports like baseball that involve throwing. Head injuries are often seen in contact sports like football, hockey and rugby. Proper diagnosis and treatment of injuries is essential for the long-term health of any athlete.
Playing Through Injury
Many athletes play sports despite obvious injury believing that the game is more important than their short-term health. Playing sports despite being injured could lead to greater long-term injury or even death. This is especially dangerous when dealing with brain injuries like concussion. An athlete's injury many not be apparent to others and another blow to the head could kill the athlete.
Dieting
Athletes in sports such as wrestling, boxing, gymnastics and skating are encouraged to lose large amounts of weight in order to compete. According to American College of Sports Medicine, this can be extraordinarily dangerous when combined with the increased physical activity of sports training. Extra physical exertion requires extra calories. Decreasing food intake while training can lead to malnutrition and eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
Supplements
Many athletes take supplements to help improve sports performance. However, most supplement claims are not substantiated by scientific studies or approved by the Federal Drug Administration. Taking the wrong supplements or the wrong amounts can lead to decreased sports performance, health issues or even death.
Steroids
Some athletes turn to anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass. According to the Nemours Foundation, muscle and strength gains do occur with anabolic steroids, but that does not necessarily translate to improved sports performance. Steroids are also illegal and are extremely hazardous to your health. Steroid use is linked with impotence, cancer, organ failure and death.
