Fitness “Industry” and Over-exertion

Injuries are an ever-present “risk” or part of “doing” anything and also a potential risk even if we choose to sit on the couch.

Between 1999 and 2013, there was a study on cases seen by Victorian (Australia) emergency departments that included injuries caused by or at “fitness” institutions.

Overall, 2,873 cases (injuries) were identified that were linked to fitness industries. The exact cause of the injury was also noted.

1. Injuries due to overexertion were most common overall (36.2% of all cases)

2. Over-exertion was also the main cause of injuries in the “free weights” category (53%)

3. Over-exertion was the main cause of injury in group “exercise” classes (36%).

4. Crush injuries due to falling weights was common with free weights

5. Falls and bad landings were big in group classes (26% of this category).

6. Trips and falls were common, in particular from tripping and falling around cardiovascular equipment (treadmills, stair-steppers, “climbers” etc..)

Here’s the thing.

1. A lot of people who are injured aren’t making it all the way into the emergency department

2. Most people are over-exerting in their training

3. There seems to be a lot of dropping weights, tripping and falling around on treadmills

Generally speaking, large classes of high-intensity training are entertaining at best.

We know this, but the larger cash-cow institutions are slow to pivot (and don’t have the expertise or capacity to offer otherwise)

For the consumer, the other approach then is smaller groups, with a focus on each individual, a focus on movement, strength and mobility, and generally, a slower approach.

As a side note, coordination also tends to improve with this type of training. Potentially even enough to avoid the trip on the treadmill down the line.