| Bodybuilding is an intense sport and injuries are | | | | typically during squats and shrugs. |
| often sustained by bodybuilders during the course | | | | Back Strain: One of the more common |
| of their training or competitions. A disturbing | | | | bodybuilding injuries, back strains are commonly |
| number of these bodybuilding injuries are | | | | caused by incorrect technique or the use of |
| preventable though and in this article we will | | | | excessive weight during dead lifts and squats. |
| consider some of the common causes of these | | | | Knee Strain: Another common bodybuilding injury |
| mishaps, how to prevent them and how to deal | | | | that presents itself as meniscal tears, ACL tears |
| with the injuries should they occur. | | | | and bursitis, knee strains are also usually the result |
| There are several types of injuries commonly | | | | of lifting excessive weight or bad form. |
| suffered by bodybuilders and most of these are | | | | Pectoral Tears: This injury is the result of a tear |
| caused by overexertion, incorrect technique or | | | | or avulsion of the Pectoralis Major tendon. In |
| equipment use and the absence of safety | | | | serious cases this will result in a knot or balling of |
| equipment. These conditions can range from the | | | | separated muscle towards the sternum |
| common or garden aches, pains and stiffness | | | | accompanied by severe bruising. |
| related to most strenuous exercise to | | | | The normal stiffness and soreness that sets in |
| permanently debilitating damage. As mentioned, | | | | within 48 hours of a workout is usually not |
| most can be prevented by exercising restraint | | | | something to be unduly alarmed about and is |
| and common sense when working out. | | | | caused by a build up of lactic acid, and cortisol in |
| The most common injuries suffered by | | | | the muscle as well as the slight damage which is |
| bodybuilders can be broken down into the | | | | the trigger for muscle regeneration and growth. |
| following classifications: | | | | Most of these bodybuilding injuries can be |
| Fractures: These injuries consist of partial, | | | | prevented by following a number of common |
| complete or compression type bone breaks. | | | | sense good practices when working out. |
| Strains: Strains are caused by muscular over | | | | Warm up: A couple of sets with light weights |
| extension or over use. | | | | before engaging in the full weight series, stretches |
| Bursitis: This injury affects the padding or bursa | | | | and a couple of minutes on a treadmill go a long |
| sacks which protect the muscles from adjacent | | | | way to preventing injuries. |
| bone mass. In bursitis these pads become | | | | Concentration: Stay focused on form and |
| inflamed and cause a lot of pain and resultant loss | | | | technique. Many people get hurt when they get |
| of mobility. | | | | distracted and the workout or equipment gets |
| Contusions: A contusion is bruising of a muscle as | | | | away from them. |
| a result of impact. | | | | Footwear: Wear gym shoes, not thongs or |
| Sprains: Sprains are caused by over extending the | | | | sandals. This prevents injuries from stubs, slips or |
| ligaments that serve as connections between our | | | | dropping weights on your feet. |
| bones. | | | | Restraint: Don't unreasonably push the envelope. |
| Avulsion: This is the tearing of the actual muscle | | | | Boasting about your super deadlift looses its value |
| itself. This usually occurs at the joint between the | | | | if you're doing it from a body cast. |
| muscle and its tendon. | | | | PPE: One of the most frequently neglected |
| Tendonitis: tendonitis is caused by inflammation of | | | | measures is the use of personal protective |
| the tendons that attach the muscle mass to the | | | | equipment. Wraps, gloves and supports prevent |
| bones. | | | | injuries. Simple and straight. Rather be a huge, |
| This is a generalised breakdown of the different | | | | ripped softy, than a broken down has-been |
| types of injuries generally suffered by | | | | superhero. |
| bodybuilders. These in turn present themselves in | | | | Technique and form: Technique is as much about |
| many different forms, the most frequently | | | | preventing injury as it is about maximizing on the |
| encountered being: | | | | workout. Never cut corners on form. |
| Elbow Tendonitis: This particular injury consists, in | | | | In the event of an injury occurring, the first line |
| itself, of several different types. Lateral Epiconylitis | | | | of action is to stop exercising immediately. Apply |
| or tennis elbow as it is more commonly know, is | | | | ice and a compress to control the inflammation, |
| a strain at the origin of the extensor muscles in | | | | elevate the injured area to control blood loss or |
| the forearm. A triceps tendonitis usually results | | | | swelling, and support the injury with a brace. Then |
| from overuse of this muscle group with a | | | | seek professional medical attention. Bodybuilding |
| resultant tendon strain. Medial Epiconylitis, or | | | | injuries are often not serious but if neglected are |
| golfers elbow, results from overuse of the flexor | | | | sure to turn out far worse than necessary. And |
| muscles in the wrist. | | | | above all always exercise common sense before |
| Neck Strains: This injury usually results from | | | | you exercise your muscles. |
| extensive stress placed on the neck muscles | | | | |