Athletic training can encompass anything from intense, daily strength, aerobic and flexibility workouts to occasional bouts of exercise that tone your body and improve your fitness. Almost everybody can participate in some form of athletic training, and often the benefits of performing a dedicated, individualized training plan are felt in all realms of your health: physical, social, mental and even spiritual. However, it’s not uncommon for athletic training issues to arise. It’s important to know what the principle issues are so you can address them before they become a problem.
Injuries
One of the most significant problems you may encounter in the course of athletic training is injuries. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, common sports injuries include sprains, strain, fractures and muscle cramps. Injuries may be caused by the way you’re performing your activity, may result from trauma experienced during your activity or may be made worse by the physical demands of your activity.
Injuries associated with athletic programs typically are soft tissue injuries, which involve damage or stress to your muscles, tendons, ligaments or nerves. If your training intensity consistently is too high, you might experience the fatigue that’s associated with overtraining. To avoid athletic training injuries, consider mixing up your training routine by incorporating several different activities or styles of training. This takes stress off your tissues and reduces your likelihood of suffering a repetitive strain injury. Consider seeking regular treatment from a professional bodyworker, such as a chiropractor or a massage therapist, to keep your body’s joints aligned and your muscle tone balanced. If you have already experienced a training-related injury or you have an injury that’s keeping you from performing your usual routine, consider visiting a chiropractor, massage therapist, physical therapist or acupuncturist.
Time Management
One aspect of athletic training that can be problematic is the ability to effectively fit your workouts into your busy schedule. This is particularly challenging for amateur athletes who train full-time for their sport or activity and also work regular jobs to support themselves. Possessing good time-management skills means that you’re effectively able to budget your time so that you can accomplish your daily goals without feeling excessive stress.
Establishing a weekly routine can be a helpful way of managing your time, and can allow you to complete your necessary training without feeling rushed or sacrificing the quality of your training. But you also need to remain flexible and listen to your body’s needs. If you adhere too rigidly to a training schedule, you may find yourself pushing through your pain for the sake of accomplishing your goals.
Consider choosing those training activities that maximize your available time and are convenient for you to perform. Make your training time a priority, and, if possible, schedule your meetings and appointments around your daily training exercise or activity.
Developing An Appropriate Plan
A training issue that many people face when they begin an exercise plan or program is figuring out what activities are most appropriate for their goals, interests and aptitudes. According to MyExercisePlan.com, when you foster a deeper, longer-lasting motivation for your exercise participation, you’ll not only improve your fitness, but also your quality of life.
Unless you’re an elite professional or amateur athlete who’s on a dedicated track, it’s important for you to participate in a wide variety of activities during the initial phases of your training regimen. You may find that you enjoy certain activities that you had not anticipated enjoying, and such activities may become staples in your long-term approach to fitness and optimal health. Incorporating your favorite activities into your athletic training plan can boost your quality of life and help improve the sustainability of your program.
The success of your training program largely depends on how much you enjoy the activities you’re performing. An appropriate exercise plan is individualized, taking your interests and levels of satisfaction into account, and emphasizes fun, discipline and consistency.
