Coddle Knees To Cut Risk in Step Aerobics
This article is was written by Glenn Singer, Staff writer at Boca Raton back on the 13th June 1992. However it is still a valid point in relation of Step Aerobics. Please enjoy!
Step aerobics is not only fun, but also a fine exercise for the cardiovascular system. Just watch out for your knees.
That is the advice of an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports injuries and says he is seeing more people with ailments from that activity than from simple aerobics.
"People who attend step classes put a lot of pressure on their knees, and overdoing it can cause problems," said Dr. Peter Schosheim, director of the Center for Arthroscopic Surgery & Sports Medicine.
One of the most common ailments that can result is called chondromalacia patella, which means inflammation or damage to the underside of the kneecap. Another, tendinitis, describes inflammation of a tendon and "is basically an overuse type of problem," Schosheim said.
"You have to use common sense," said Sue Sheremeta of Delray Beach, who teaches step aerobics at the Boca Power Plant Gym & Fitness Center. "The idea is to have high intensity and low impact. Some people might tend to set the bench too high or even jump, or they may work out to music that is too fast."
Sheremeta suggested that those who enroll in step aerobics classes make sure their instructors are certified, and they should examine the equipment to make sure it is sturdy and stable.
Schosheim said that many of the people who will suffer knee injuries display warning signs before they start step aerobics.
"You should be cautious about starting this type of workout if you experience discomfort in your knees after sitting for a long time and then getting up to stretch," he said. "And step aerobics might not be for you if you experience pain when you walk up steps."
Sheremeta said she leads some classes whose students are in their 50s and 60s, and there does not seem to be any increased risk of injury as long as the participants are in good shape.
"With 'step,' you have beginner classes that use a bench as low as four inches off the floor. The advanced classes step higher. Never try to perform at a level beyond your abilities," she said.
Schosheim urged participants to avoid hand weights during step aerobics because they add to the pressure on the knees. He also suggested that physical fitness buffs do the workouts once a week and do other aerobic activities such as swimming or bicycling to avoid boredom.
Should an injury occur, he suggested staying out of class and resting, treating the knee joint with ice for 20 minutes three times a day and, if necessary, taking anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen. Knee sleeves are available to relieve pressure during future exercise, he said.
Step aerobics is not only fun, but also a fine exercise for the cardiovascular system. Just watch out for your knees.
That is the advice of an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports injuries and says he is seeing more people with ailments from that activity than from simple aerobics.
"People who attend step classes put a lot of pressure on their knees, and overdoing it can cause problems," said Dr. Peter Schosheim, director of the Center for Arthroscopic Surgery & Sports Medicine.
One of the most common ailments that can result is called chondromalacia patella, which means inflammation or damage to the underside of the kneecap. Another, tendinitis, describes inflammation of a tendon and "is basically an overuse type of problem," Schosheim said.
"You have to use common sense," said Sue Sheremeta of Delray Beach, who teaches step aerobics at the Boca Power Plant Gym & Fitness Center. "The idea is to have high intensity and low impact. Some people might tend to set the bench too high or even jump, or they may work out to music that is too fast."
Sheremeta suggested that those who enroll in step aerobics classes make sure their instructors are certified, and they should examine the equipment to make sure it is sturdy and stable.
Schosheim said that many of the people who will suffer knee injuries display warning signs before they start step aerobics.
"You should be cautious about starting this type of workout if you experience discomfort in your knees after sitting for a long time and then getting up to stretch," he said. "And step aerobics might not be for you if you experience pain when you walk up steps."
Sheremeta said she leads some classes whose students are in their 50s and 60s, and there does not seem to be any increased risk of injury as long as the participants are in good shape.
"With 'step,' you have beginner classes that use a bench as low as four inches off the floor. The advanced classes step higher. Never try to perform at a level beyond your abilities," she said.
Schosheim urged participants to avoid hand weights during step aerobics because they add to the pressure on the knees. He also suggested that physical fitness buffs do the workouts once a week and do other aerobic activities such as swimming or bicycling to avoid boredom.
Should an injury occur, he suggested staying out of class and resting, treating the knee joint with ice for 20 minutes three times a day and, if necessary, taking anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen. Knee sleeves are available to relieve pressure during future exercise, he said.
That was our article for June 2015. Remember to feel free to comment, or contact me via email to FreestyleStepXTRVGNZ@gmail.com, and comment on what you think of this article, or any article you have read, or just any improvements you may want to see happening.
Our main subject of "What are gyms doing or not doing to help with Freestyle Step" is not yet finished, and we will aim to have it published on July 2015. Our next article.
Our main subject of "What are gyms doing or not doing to help with Freestyle Step" is not yet finished, and we will aim to have it published on July 2015. Our next article.
In July 2015 article... I concentrate on what Gyms are doing or not doing to help with Freestyle Step. Is Freestyle Step being replaced by LesMills because of Gym's choice, or is Freestyle Step dying of a slow death due to its lack of direction. Next month article has some interesting and strong points discussed.
Bruno Jimenez
June 2015
June 2015
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