About half of people at any age who participate in competitive running or high impact aerobics experience minor injuries at least once a year. Young, intensely competitive athletes may be at risk for permanent injury. Studies are conflicting over whether intensive high impact sports in younger people cause long-term degenerative joint disease. Older people should embark on vigorous activity with caution. Women are far more likely than men to rupture a knee ligament, although a combination of weight lifting and jumping exercises may prevent injury by strengthening hamstrings and improving coordination.
Urinary incontinence affects many female athletes who engage in high-impact exercise.
Shock absorbing footwear and weight-dampening inserts might help prevent this problem. To avoid injuries, athletes should vary their training and alternate easy and harder workouts. Treating Minor Injuries. This regime works well for both spot injuries and chronic problems. Ice packs, which minimize inflammation and pain, can help acute injuries and can be useful for the first few hours after a chronically injured area is exercised.