Sports myths Sports can also be unhealthy

Sports myths under the microscope: An expert explains why sport can also be unhealthy

29/02/2012

Sports expert Professor Ingo Froböse from the Center for Health of the German Sport University Cologne explains the most famous sports myths and explains why too much sport is not healthy either.

Golf, not just a sport for the rich
For a long time the ball sport, which originated in Scotland and was therefore good at playing the ball with as few punches as possible, was regarded in Germany mainly as an elitist pastime for the rich. In the meantime, a colorful mixed crowd can be found on golf courses. A common misconception is that you can not be injured in golf. Froböse explains: „About half of all amateur golfers suffer from pain in the back, knees, hips and elbows.“ This is due to wrong punching techniques.

Swimming is only partially healthy
Another sport myth: Swimming is the healthiest sport. „Due to the lack of gravity, the stimuli fall away on bone. The water pressure presses on the vessels, which in turn affect the heart“ reports Froböse. According to experts, swimming is only conditionally considered a healthy sport.

Tennis promotes the back muscles
For many, tennis is suspected of causing massive damage to the intervertebral discs and thus promoting back pain. The sports physician explained that the jerky movements in tennis are considered a risk. A well-trained back muscles but feather this and at the same time ensure stability.

Stay fit even in old age
A common prejudice states that older people should spare and avoid too sporty strains. Froböse explains that a 100 percent increase in performance is possible even for older people within twelve months. „Even with pensioners, the oldest muscle cell is only 15 years old. So we have young structures that can be charged“, adds the scientist

Anyone who does sports stays healthy longer
That athletes are less likely to get sick, confirmed Froböse only partially: „Of course athletes live healthier.“ However, you should not overdo it with the sport, because then you risk overstraining your immune system and the cortisol shield will be lost. Anyone who constantly strains his body beyond the performance limits is also more susceptible to infections. The phenomenon is found in top athletes.

In case of colds do without sport
Froböse advises against cold urgently from sports, because it will weaken the heart enormously: „Anyone who suffers from a flu infection and still plays sports, burdened his body in addition. Doctors advise a three-day break after fever.“ Otherwise, the infection can spread to the heart: palpitations, chest pain and heart rhythm disorders. In the worst case, a life-threatening situation can occur.

An exaggerated sports program damages the body
The sports scientist can not confirm that a lot of sport is especially good: „The body can develop optimally only with systematic and regular training.“ Too much sport is unhealthy for the immune system.

For sore muscles easy training
Anyone who suffers from sore muscles needs rest, is a sports myth. „Lightweight, moderate load is the optimum“, says Froböse. With too much rest, the micro tears in the muscle would not be sufficient blood flow. University of Michigan scientists found out in the middle of last year that cherry juice protects against excessive muscle soreness after an intense exercise program.

Stair climbing is healthy
One of the common prejudices is that staircases bring nothing. Froböse disagrees: „Those who already go up 100 levels quickly train the cycle as well as five minutes of endurance sports.“ For this reason, instead of the escalator or elevator should always be preferred to the stairs to climb. As an old wisdom says: "Every course makes you lean and keeps you fit". (Ag)

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Picture credits: Siegfried Fries