Blog 6

"What is most important for a recreational athlete to avoid injury and prolong their athletic life?"
-Most important meaning anything any kind of knowledge or tactic to prevent injury.
-Recreational athlete (Not to be confused with PROFESSIONAL athlete, in which injury is way more harmful. Recreational athletes exercise or play sports at their leisure and are often less intense/formal than professional sports.
-avoid injury/ prolong athletic life. Almost every athlete is expected to be injured at some point, especially amateur athletes. However, careful athletes can reduce the damage and even drastically reduce the chance of injury occurring. As for as long term stuff goes, even if something feels right (painless) it may effect long term fitness. For example, a mistrained runner may have unhealthy foot strikes, which are only painful for a while (in most cases) and may SEEM to disappear at a time, only to cause say future arch misalignment or some other bone structure.
*Thinking some answers are knowledge of at least basic anatomy or whatever sport, including any muscle group or ligs/tendons that play even a small role in your exercise. By knowing which body part plays which role, you will be able to work each body part accordingly and refer back to research when pain or soreness occurs. Another is using this knowledge of anatomy, or just getting experience from an expert, to work out certain parts of the body, such as muscles or range of motion, that associates with the exercise to make that exercise easier and promote health. One last answer I came up with is that everyone's body is different and you will need to find which technique feels more natural to you. If you watch baseball, you might have an idea what I mean. It is important to know your capabilities and develop a style with what you have to perform your best and feel your best.
*So far, my most important sources may have been from my interviews with physical therapy patients. Both have stated they think anatomy definitely is a must to assure what really goes on in your body during exercise and that it is important to stay fit in order to keep your body healthy.