As a therapist, I have noticed a trend in the injuries that come into clinic.  Those who participate in ballet, martial arts, or gymnastics are hurt because they work themselves to rubble.  Interestingly, the incidents of common injuries to the ACL, chronic ankle sprains, or lower back pain are less common.  In gymnastics participants will run full speed, jump, flip, vault, or land with incredible force but still don’t have injuries seen with non-contact injuries in baseball, football, soccer, basketball, etc.  Why is this? 

Simple….they have better balance.

Many of the injuries caused in athletic participation occur because of two things:

1. Jumping and landing improperly

2. Running full speed and stopping/changing directions

Many training programs (and the athletes themselves) focus on utilizing heavy weights and fancy equipment.  Often the focus will be placed on the “workout machine” instead of improving the “human machine.”  Athletes are taught to push harder and faster without considering if they can control and stop without losing balance or placing themselves in an compromising position.

“If you cannot control what your are doing, how can you control the outcome?

There will be plenty more on this topic to come……