Knee Pain Questions and Myths
Part 2: 4 Myths About Exercising
Regular exercise has several advantages, including keeping your muscles strong and improving your metabolism. However, there are certain misconceptions about exercising that may deter some people from keeping fit. Some of them are as follows:
1. Joints can be harmed by exercise
On the contrary, exercise strengthens and maintains the flexibility of the entire body. Walking and muscle-strengthening were shown to be safe and helpful in those recovering from any sports related injury.
2. “No pain, no gain”
If you’re frequently sore, your body might not be getting the sufficient time it requires to recover and make improvements. This is why it’s advisable to balance and vary the intensity of your exercise. It is also important to be able to distinguish between the pain of sore muscles and injury pain. Regardless of how intense your workout was, it should only take you around three days to recover. If you’re experiencing chronic soreness or the pain intensifies when you work out, it might be best to consult a doctor.
3. Lifting weights decreases flexibility
With the correct form and posture, lifting weights can actually have the opposite effect. Studies have shown that resistance training improves flexibility. It is crucial to work through a full range of motion while lifting. For example, lifting dumbbells all the way up and all the way back down during a chest press exercise would allow you to employ the full potential of your chest and shoulder muscles.
4. Those with knee pain should exercise less
Having plenty of exercise is beneficial for all bodies, including individuals who experience knee pain. Those with knee pain may be at risk of not getting enough movement in their day-to-day lives due to their discomfort, but decreased mobility and movement could cause greater joint problems in the future. If you suffer from knee pain due to a fall or from high contact sports, you can consider opting for low-impact exercise, such as swimming or yoga.
Overall, frequent exercise is good for health. The more you exercise and move your body, the more likely you are to maintain your ideal weight and current mobility, both of which are essential to knee and shoulder health.
