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Common Health Problems that will impact your performance

Any type of athletic performance requires physical, mental, and overall health because of the energy demands of each activity.. Athletes are at higher risk of disease, more sensitive to pain, and have an increased chance of getting injured because of their lifestyles. Though most people believe that athletes are just healthy individuals with good genetics, several common health problems impede athletic performance.

Many different things can impact your athletic performance. Whether it is a health problem that you are unaware of or an injury that you are trying to recover from, there are steps that you can take to improve your performance. In this article, we will discuss eight common health problems that can have an impact on your athletic performance.

Test your general health

Everyone comes to a certain period in life when they start thinking about the future.  No matter when this point in your life comes for you, it is always beneficial to have an idea of what health problems may occur down the line. It’s never too early to think about taking care of your body and feeling healthy mentally and physically. With the information on the Health Hub combined with home tests for food intolerance, vitamin D deficiency, etc., you can start early on testing your general health. One of the most important things that everyone should consider doing at least once every year is undergoing a general checkup with their doctor to see how they can improve their lifestyle choices. Make sure that you get blood work done so that any underlying conditions such as diabetes or even more serious diseases can be discovered.

Stress levels 

When you are stressed, your body demands more energy than it normally would. If you experience prolonged stress, your body is stressed 24/7 which means that it is constantly demanding calories regardless of the activity that you do daily. This constant need for energy can result in weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, poor concentration, high blood pressure (hypertension), etc., all of which will impact your athletic performance if left untreated. Make sure to try and combat this issue first by setting a specific time in a day when you will be devoted to yourself, during which you can assess your impressions and emotions. There is a rise of new sleep disorder patterns caused by the increased numbers of daily activities, and people need their alone time. Taking it during nighttime when you are supposed to be sleeping can severely impact your biorhythm.

Food intolerance

One of the best ways to remedy this situation is to keep track of what type of foods make you feel bloated or cause cramps after eating them. Some people find certain dairy products or gluten-containing grains like wheat to be very difficult to digest. Keeping a food journal is one of the best ways to keep track of what types of foods you are eating and how they make you feel. Nutritional support can also help relieve some irritations in your gut that may be causing bloating, indigestion, etc., after consuming certain types of food items.

Nutritional deficiencies

As athletes, it is important to make sure that you are getting the correct amount of nutrients in your body to perform at optimal levels. There are different levels in which one can be deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, but it is safe to say that every athlete should take a multivitamin daily. Making sure that you get enough protein, iron, calcium, etc. can all contribute to your athletic performance because these nutrients provide energy when necessary. 

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies that can impact athletic performance. Iron deficiency leads to anemia, which means that there are fewer healthy red blood cells than normal to carry oxygen throughout your body. When you experience chronic fatigue, loss of breath when working out, etc., this could be the culprit behind the problems that you are experiencing. Women who go through their menstrual cycle monthly also have a greater chance of suffering from iron deficiency because they lose so much blood during their periods.

Shortness of breath

If shortness of breath is something that you deal with regularly, there may be certain health concerns behind this issue. Shortness of breath could mean that your heart isn’t pumping enough blood throughout your body, or that there is a lack of oxygen in your blood. This could be caused by poor circulation, having low levels of iron in your body, smoking, etc. The best way to test if this is an issue for you is to do a breathing test.

High cholesterol/high blood pressure

These two issues are among the most common health concerns that many people suffer from daily. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can both impact your athletic performance because they increase the chances of suffering from cardiovascular disease. Having either of these conditions will decrease the amount of oxygen that flows throughout your body which means that you won’t have as much energy to get through tough workouts or competitions. 

General fatigue 

It’s normal to feel tired after performing some strenuous activity, but feeling excessively fatigued throughout your day is something that shouldn’t be ignored. If you are constantly exhausted despite getting a good night’s rest, it could be because your body isn’t getting the right amount of nutrients (vitamin deficiencies) or oxygen (low iron). 

To combat fatigue, first, try to get some proper rest and address any nutritional or oxygen deficiencies you may have. If these methods don’t work, it’s best to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment of the underlying issue. Sometimes stress is the main cause of fatigue, so taking some time to relax or meditate can also help alleviate the problem.

Ringing in the ears

Tinnitus, which is more commonly known as ringing in your ears, can be caused by certain medications (like aspirin), high blood pressure that causes damage to the inner ear, anemia, etc. Tinnitus can be very bothersome because it causes a constant noise that interrupts your day-to-day activities; some people claim that this condition is what prevents them from getting a full night’s rest. If you’re suffering from tinnitus and it’s affecting your athletic performance, try consulting a doctor for treatment options.

No one is immune to health problems, and these eight are just a few that can impact your athletic performance. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor to determine the underlying cause. Once you know what the issue is, you can start working on a treatment plan with your physician so that you can get back to performing at your best.

(02/16/2022) Views: 1,096 ⚡AMP
by Colorado Runner