3 Situations Where You Should Avoid Playing Sports

Physical activity has always been important to societies, and there seems to be no reason to avoid playing sports.

Exercising is not a contemporary issue. Since ancient times, in Ancient Greece, physical activity programs were carried out. Routines could be smooth, fast or slow.

Practicing sport was considered a priority for health, not to mention that the cult of the aesthetic image was a way of expressing power.

Why should we exercise?

Sport improves performance at the cardiovascular level, as it activates hemodynamic, hormonal, neurological and metabolic changes; therefore, it improves the function of the respiratory tract.

Physical activity provides balance to health. Keeping moving prevents osteoporosis, back pain and damage from poor posture.

However, sport may not be a healthy activity, it depends on the form and conditions in which it is practiced.

When should you avoid playing sports?

Of course, exercising excessively or incorrectly can have the opposite effects. For example, people with high blood pressure problems should avoid excessive sport as this can worsen their condition.

But there are also certain circumstances where you should definitely avoid playing sports:

1. After not having enough sleep

People grow up with the idea that sport is the cure for many of their ills.

So, after having spent a night with insomnia, we can believe that doing physical activity is the best way to recharge our energy.

Wrong! Doing an exercise routine after you haven’t rested well adds stress.

Furthermore, under this circumstance,  the immune system is not prepared for the effort, so the defenses deteriorate.

Not to mention that due to a lack of energy, we end up straining our muscles, which increases the risk of suffering an injury. We strain our muscles because we cannot perform the movements in the same way as if we had rested well the night before.

However, if you didn’t sleep well the night before and don’t want to waste the day with your exercise routine, it’s a good idea to walk, jog or do half of what you normally do.

2. After having consumed alcohol

Technically, alcohol consumption does not prevent us from playing sports, unless it is a physical activity that demands precision. This is due to the fact that  alcohol consumption affects performance and strength, but especially coordination.

Ethanol is a chemical compound contained in alcoholic beverages that produces changes in the nervous system. This substance makes those who consume alcohol go into a euphoric state and then into a depressive state, which reduces their reflexes in any situation.

On the other hand, it is important to remember that  alcohol has diuretic effects, which can cause dehydration while performing physical activity. This is due to the loss of fluids, vitamins and minerals.

In addition, ethanol prevents nutrients from being absorbed in a regular way, which favors body weight gain.

3. After having suffered an injury

It is very common for athletes to experience injuries from time to time. Some causes can be:

• Not performing the movements correctly.
• Train more than usual.
• Wear an inappropriate shoe.
• Lack of protection.

Types of injuries

Among the most frequent injuries in athletes are:

• Acute trauma, such as fractures, sprains, cuts, among others. They can originate from a blow or from excessive force.
• Overload injuries. For example, overuse fractures or tendon inflammation. They develop after performing a repetitive routine.

Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms in case of injuries are:

• Intense pain or pain when touching.
• Stiffness and inflammation.
• Immobilization.
• Cracking noises.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should not only avoid playing sports, but discontinue sports activity completely. In addition, it is essential that you seek medical attention.

Afterwards, you should inform your trainer about your injury and treatment, and then start gradually with therapeutic exercises.

Recommendations when exercising

• Put yourself in the hands of a certified specialist  to perform any physical activity.
• Pay attention to technique and don’t focus on strength, as it’s no use lifting a huge weight if it’s done incorrectly.
• Be constant and avoid overloading, as doing an exaggerated amount of exercise in a short period will not give you the results you only get in months.

• Warm up. It is essential to stretch before starting physical activity, to prevent injuries and increase physical performance.
• Start with an aerobic routine if you’re looking to lose weight. However, it is also important to lift weights as it strengthens your muscles.
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Drink water, due to the fact that it is the only way to recover from physical exertion. It is essential to drink water before, during and after exercise.

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