Fitness risks need to be noted

It's convenient to go to the gym to work out, but the gym actually has potential health risks. The swimming pool may be unsanitary, and you may be infected with antibiotic-resistant staphylococci when using crowded locker rooms or heavily used exercise equipment. If you don't exercise properly, you may hurt yourself or even develop heart disease. So how should we protect ourselves?

Skin infections

Staphylococcal infections, including those caused by MRSA, can be spread through shared gym equipment, mats, and towels. Infections tend to occur around scrapes and cuts and around certain body areas, such as the armpits, buttocks, groin, and neck. They may look like pimples at first, but can enlarge, become painful, and become purulent, which can be life-threatening if they spread to the bloodstream. Many times the infection will go away on its own, but you should see a doctor if you develop a fever or if the infected area becomes larger, red, painful, or warm.

Prevention: Most gyms provide alcohol sprays or wipes for people to clean gym equipment before and after use. It is best to put a clean towel on the mat for sit-ups, stretching exercises or yoga, and do not share towels with others. In addition, wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use alcohol-based disinfectant. Take a shower after exercising. If you have any cuts or scrapes, cover them with an adhesive bandage and be careful not to use a hot tub or whirlpool bath.

Many swimming pools are poorly maintained, which allows bacteria and viruses to take advantage and cause outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness. A May report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that surveys showed that 10% of swimming pools needed to be closed immediately. Poorly functioning circulation and filtration systems, as well as inadequate disinfection, are among the most common problems.

Precautions: To ensure the health of others, we should take a bath with soap before swimming, and wash our hands after going to the toilet or changing diapers for babies. It is best not to use the swimming pool if it has a strong chemical smell or the water is not clear. Normally, the pool water will have a slight odor and the bottom of the pool should be easily visible. Ask your staff about the chlorine content and pH level of the pool; these should be checked twice a day. Or you can use self-test strips, which are available at home improvement stores. The chlorine content should be between 1 and 3 ppm, the hot tub should be between 4 and 6 ppm, and the pH value should be between 7.2 and 7.8.

Injuries in the weight room requiring doctor visits have increased 50% since 1990, with the largest increase occurring in people over 45.

Precautions: Warm up for a few minutes before running, doing exercises, or strength training. Use safer equipment, such as those that use resistance or elastic bands to achieve the exercise effect, rather than free pressing a barbell. As for the weight, you should choose a weight that you can complete 15 reps with. Do it slowly, taking 2 seconds to raise and 4 seconds to lower. During the press, you should be able to make sure that you can stop the weight at any point in time. Be careful not to hold your breath, as this may cause fainting or increase your blood pressure. Exhale as you press, and inhale as you lower the weight.

Gradually exercising is good for your heart, but if you're not in good shape, especially when you're sick, high-intensity exercise may increase your risk of heart disease in the short term.

Precautions: If you have a heart condition or other problem, you should consult a doctor before exercising. Older people who sit frequently should also be careful. If you have a cold, flu, or are tired, you should cut back on your exercise or rest. Make sure the health club you work out at has at least one automatic defibrillator, which can save your life in a critical moment. Fitness facility staff should be trained in the use of defibrillators, as well as CPR. It is best for us to learn artificial respiration (CPR) so that we can save others.

Over 40,000 eyes are injured during recreational activities. Squash and tennis were the leading causes of injury, with ages ranging from 25 to 65, and almost all of the injuries were preventable if proper eye protection was worn.