After an injury or accident, physical therapy helps manage pain and gets us back on our feet and functioning the way that we did before. Strengthening weaker or lagging parts may help to take load off other overworked muscles and joints. The same goes for strength training: strength training may help to improve longevity, better our quality of life, and even help to prevent future injury.
Does more muscle = less injury?
Resistance training has been shown to reduce the risk of injury to recreational and even competitive athletes. This is because it causes increased strength and growth in our ligaments and connective tissues, as well as potentially increasing bone mineral content that can reduce the likelihood of skeletal injuries. Overuse injuries that are common in sport, like tennis elbow, may be less prominent in athletes who include resistance training in their conditioning programmes targeting the body parts and muscles that tend to be weaker or are at higher risk for injury.
More muscle also may mean better performance for many athletes. By training the right muscles, strength training can increase muscle and strength and reduce risk of injury.
Strength training may also improve muscle function
Weak muscles cannot perform at their optimal function. This may lead to imbalances and even misalignment, which can result in injury. Resistance training that targets specific body parts or lagging muscles can increase functionality by balancing your body. There are a variety of ways to do strength training, including body-weight exercises, free weights and machine weights. Every form has its own pros and cons and when utilized in a balanced program can improve muscle function and athletic performance.
Precautions to strength training
As with any sport, strength training comes with its array of risks as well. Going too quickly into strength training without any instruction or knowhow beforehand may risk injury – contrary to one of the strength training’s many benefits. Here’s some tips before you start strength training:
- Start slowly. A personal trainer or coach may be able to help you figure out where to begin and how to start teaching your body to adjust to different exercises and weight.
- Rest is important. Strength training works by breaking down muscle fibers, but in order for there to be growth you must also implement adequate rest.
- Warm up and cool down. Preparing your body to do a strength training activity is necessary to ensuring there is no sudden “shock” to your muscles and tendons.
- Enlist the help of a trainer if you aren’t sure. Trainers are there to help you! With plenty of experience and knowledge, a trainer can help point you in the right direction and even help structure a strength training plan that is personalized to you.
The value of strength training
Strength training boasts an array of benefits, from improving our balance, increasing muscle mass, and aiding in weight loss. As strength training can also strengthen our ligaments, muscles and joints, it can offset the risk for injury in everyday life. Overall, strength training is a fantastic addition to a conditioning program, whether you’re a competitive athlete or just a weekend warrior.