The benefits of aerobic and resistance training in a sports medicine context are vast, not to mention its benefits to the general public unrelated to sport. Maintaining a program of both can yield surprising results for an athlete, especially in these modern times where the level of competition has increased substantially. By incorporating cardio into your workout regimen, you’re giving your body time to recover after an intense weight session or long run with weights.
Whether it’s implemented as a performance enhancement, preventative protocol, or injury rehabilitation program, aerobic and resistance training is incredibly advantageous for athletes of all kinds. Yet, it’s essential that such a program is curated, executed, and monitored correctly and under professional supervision.
The following are several beneficial functions that aerobic and resistance training play:
- Promotes Muscle Growth & Strength
- Reverses Muscle Loss
- Increases Athletic Performance
- Boosts Explosiveness & Power
- Promotes Mobility & Flexibility
- Improves Heart Health
- Enhances Cardiovascular Ability
- Reduces Body Fat
- Increases Bone Density
- Reduces Risk of Health Conditions (Diabetes, Hypertension, Cancers, Osteoporosis)
- Improves Health Indicators (blood pressure, resting heart rate, metabolism)
- Boosts Well-Being
- Injury Prevention
While not all of these benefits are related to sports medicine and athletics, it’s worth noting to emphasize its role and importance for general health, longevity, performance, and other health and fitness factors.
Several of these benefits indirectly correlate to sports and athletics, such as well-being and motivation in association with performance and the reduction of risk for various health conditions associated with physical injury and capability.
Nevertheless, a well-planned and properly monitored aerobic or resistance training regimen can help prevent sports-related injuries and improve overall performance.
Potential Risks Associated with Aerobic & Resistance Training
The risks associated with aerobic and resistance training primarily pertain to youth athletes; however, other injuries can be classified as accidental, even in the most elite of athletes.
Some issues that can lead to undesirable aerobic and resistance training results include poor, unqualified instruction, inefficient technique, inappropriate training loads, and overtraining. These issues are problematic with any competitive sport, whether weightlifting, sprinting, track & field, gymnastics, or football. Such bad technique or training can lead to soft tissue injuries, lower back pain, and growth plate injuries, among others.
The evidence supporting aerobic and resistance training benefits on physical health, injury reduction, sports performance, and other sports medicine modalities is clear.
While other preventative protocols are effective in sports medicine and injury reduction, aerobic and resistance training implemented in the correct environments are beneficial both for the recreational participant and competitive athlete alike.
However, it’s important not only to receive medical clearance prior to engaging in such activity but to find a professional who specializes in supervising effective rehabilitation and strength programs.
