The aging process can be difficult for those who have always lived active lifestyles. Due to changes in muscle mass, bone density, metabolism and hormones, the body loses some of its resilience over time. To accommodate these changes and avoid injuries as you exercise, here are a few smart tips: Get Regular Checkups with Your Doctor Even if you feel fine and consider yourself young and healthy, with regular checkups you can keep a close watch on any potential health issues th

Hip pain is very common in all levels of athletics. From MLB slugger Alex Rodriguez to weekend warriors just trying to stay in shape, it can happen to anyone at any time. Often it is something that can be self treated at home while other conditions can be more serious requiring orthopedic evaluation and even surgery. It’s important to pay attention to hip pain when it begins to keep it from developing into a chronic condition. Here are some of the more common conditions and h

With Marathon season back in full swing, many of you runners have been in training for the past several weeks. Increases in duration and intensity to prepare for the recent and upcoming events naturally develop. But what if you start to develop leg pain while or after running? What could it be? Is it serious? And, most importantly, “can I run through it or not and still prepare for my race?” These are many questions that may be running through your mind. The cause of leg pain

Since the Cajunman Triathlon began in 1996, more and more people have become active in triathlons and cycling in general! Lafayette is making strides in becoming a more “cycle friendly” city, but more improvements can still be made. Statistics from the US Department of Transportation show that cycling fatalities continue to increase each year, so above all, safety when cycling should be our number one concern as cyclists and drivers. Always wear helmets, use reflective gear,

If you enjoy distance running and have had problems with heel pain, you likely have experienced a case of plantar fasciitis. It is estimated that 10% of all runners will deal with this problem at some time. The good news is that most cases will resolve in a few weeks. However, while present it can be quite bothersome and painful and sometimes requires more aggressive treatment including surgery. The plantar fascia is the tight tissue stretching from the bottom of the heel to

Shoulder pain is a very common problem in the swimming athlete. The shoulder joint is so vulnerable to injury and problems during swimming because it is an inherently unstable joint and upper extremity force provides the vast majority of propulsion. As a result, swimmers are particularly prone to shoulder injuries. Injuries to the shoulder joint as a result of swimming can usually be attributed to one of three factors or a combination. Overuse or overtraining is usually a fac

Low back pain is a common problem for the general population and unfortunately it can be troublesome for the athlete as well. It is estimated that up to 20% of sports injuries involve the spine, and injuries can be seen in all sports. Whether you are a competitive athlete or just a weekend warrior, everyone is susceptible. But certain sports pose a higher risk than others. This article will outline some of the most common conditions and give some tips on how to prevent back i

Most of us have experienced a muscle cramp or a “Charley Horse” at one time or another. They can be very bothersome because not only do they hurt but a bad one can put you on the sideline. So what are they and how can they be treated and prevented? A cramp is an involuntary forceful muscle contraction or spasm that does not relax. Any muscle under voluntary control (skeletal muscle) can get a cramp. Muscles that cross a joint are more prone to cramps and the large muscle grou

Let’s face it! Accidents happen! While most of us think of concussions occurring in contact sports, the truth is that they can occur in any sport and across all age groups of athletes! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 200,000 people each year suffer a concussion while playing sports. So what is a concussion? What are the signs and symptoms? How are they treated? What is the best prevention? And when can you return to your sport? Wha

"No pain, no gain", as the saying goes. But how do you know when you are pushing to hard and setting yourself up for injury? Here are four types of workout pain you should never ignore: 1. SHARP PAIN A sharp, shooting pain as you workout is your body telling you to stop immediately. The muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage in your body are great at adapting to exercise- but only when it's gradual. 2. SORENESS THAT CONTINUES AFTER 72 HOURS Many relish the feeling of sore

Hamstring injuries are some of the most common injuries in sports and can be some of the most nagging and difficult to treat. These muscle injuries most often occur in activities and sports that involve sprinting and sudden stops such as track, soccer, and tennis. Also athletes in sports that involve excessive leg stretching such as martial arts or gymnastics can sustain hamstring injuries. Keep reading to find out 5 risk factors you may not be aware of that can lead to hamst

Well the month of March is here and the running season is back in full force. Many of you have been training for and running in marathons and half marathons already! And I’m willing to bet that many of you have experienced pain or injury at some point during your training. Sometimes it’s nothing serious but other times it can threaten to derail your training and possibly keep you out of your race. So what can you do to minimize those issues and maximize your performance? Acco

Although you may have heard it called something different, high intensity interval training or HIIT is the number one fitness trend, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Programs such as CrossFit, P90X, Insanity, and many others base their workouts on this style of training. It involves intense bursts of energy followed by short periods of rest. CrossFit, in particular, also involves Olympic style weightlifting. As popularity has increased, with more people

Popular new events attracting runners and fitness lovers of all levels are obstacle course races and mud runs. These races can be extremely fun, but for a first timer they can present quite a challenge. Since they include a variety of activities during a single event, it will require more than just running to prepare and train. As expected, the possible injuries that may occur also become more varied and widespread, so here are a few tips to prevent a sidelining injury. Learn

If you enjoy distance running and have had problems with heel pain, you likely have experienced a case of plantar fasciitis. It is estimated that 10% of all runners will deal with this problem at some time. The good news is that most cases will resolve in a few weeks. However, while present it can be quite bothersome and painful and sometimes requires more aggressive treatment including surgery. The plantar fascia is the tight tissue stretching from the bottom of the heel to

It’s summer in Louisiana and that means the days are getting longer and hotter! Not surprisingly, many of us look to the water to cool off and for recreation. Pools, waterways, beaches and the ocean are filled with people having fun! The water can also be a great source for fitness and competition. Swimming is a great exercise and sport and is of course the first component of a triathlon. Other sports which are very common in our area involving the water include water skiing

With the arrival of spring and summer, everyone is taking to the outdoors for sports and fitness. Two of the most popular sports enjoyed by athletes of all ages and skill levels are tennis and golf. Whether you like to swing a racquet or swing a club, or both, at some point, you may experience serious elbow pain. So what is it? Why did it occur? And most importantly, what can be done to make it go away? Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow are similar conditions that may be the ca

With the arrival of spring and summer, everyone is taking to the outdoors for sports and fitness. Two of the most popular sports enjoyed by athletes of all ages and skill levels are tennis and golf. Whether you like to swing a racquet or swing a club, or both, at some point you may experience serious elbow pain. So what is it? Why did it occur? And most importantly, what can be done to make it go away? Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow are similar conditions that may be the cau

When you're working out with an injury, the last thing you want to do is hurt yourself and prolong your recovery time. Here are 4 tips to help you work around your injury so that you can keep up with your fitness. 1. VIEW IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY You may feel depressed because your normal endorphin boosting routine is gone. Although it may be rough, use this as an opportunity to work other muscle groups and improve weak areas. 2. TEST YOUR RANGE OF MOTION Before you work out, tes

Bursae are very common structures in the human body. They are found in numerous locations including the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and foot. Essentially a bursa is a small fluid filled sac that is positioned between prominent bones and soft tissues to help reduce friction during movement. If a bursa becomes inflamed, the condition is called bursitis. Inflammation can occur as a result of trauma, but it usually results from overuse and poor conditioning. In rare cases the bu