Any sport players here?

lesbleus
lesbleus Member Posts: 2
edited 26. Mar 2009, 16:26 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello,

First time visiting this forum so hello all. I am 16 and play rugby union for the London Wasps but whenever I play it takes me three days to recover and get back to the normal level of pain but then I have training the next day and am unable to put in a full performance.

I was diagnosed with poly arthritis in 2004 and have had constant problems with it in most of my joints but especially in my; left shoulder, both knees, both hips, right ankle, left wrist and all my fingers.

I was just wondering how long it takes anyone else to recover from playing sport?

Comments

  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi and welcome!
    Sorry I`m not a rugby player!! :shock: But you might find more people your age on the young forum. Although there still may be some sporty people on here too!!
    NB
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lesblues
    Not happy as I just deleted the message I originally wrote to you :roll: This will not be as good :(
    Seriously though welcome to the forum from me who only exercises when I am well.
    I am very impressed that you play for the WASPs even I have heard of them!!
    You must LOVE it to play when the consequences are so severe.
    Anyway Good to meet you
    Take care
    Toni x
  • clare_l_allen
    clare_l_allen Member Posts: 10
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,

    Id agree that you'll probs find more help on the young people's forum, mayb put a post up there too?

    Im 21 and was diagnosed with Rhematoid Arthritis at 13. At the time i played netball for 3 teams, hockey at school, did freestyle and latin american dancing as well as competing at distrcit level in the high jump.

    Cant say much about rugby..... but i know sport used to knacker me out and i relied on lucozade just to get me through a game. Knee, wrist supports etc. are pretty good for while you play but you're not supposed to have pressure on swollen joints for too long. Best advice i can give is really make sure you rest after games and inbetween- it's all about balance with this condition. Also maybe think about asking your doc for some drugs??

    I know what it's like to love a sport and i would encourage you to find ways of continuing. I still do bits and bobs but found other ditractions at uni.... so now just play for fun rather than competitively.

    Good luck.

    Clare.
    Clare.
    About me:
    I'm nearly 23 and have had RA since I was 13. I take Enbrel and Methotrexate.
    I volunteer for Arthritis Care's Young People's Project in the South of England.
    I like cafes, coffee and cake.
  • bailey27
    bailey27 Member Posts: 689
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I am a 28 year old female fitness freak and personal trainer.
    I used to play footy at a womens premier league level and currently do a lot of running and compete regularly in kickboxing. I have only recently been told I have arhthritis by my GP and am waiting to have first rhematologist appointment.
    I have been told I have arthritis in hips and lower back following MRI scan but am pretty sure I have it in my knee, toes and fingers. I am having knne suregery in couple of weeks to egt it all cleaned out.
    I struggle to keep on top of the flare ups as I can go days without a problem and then wont be able to get out of bed the next day. I dont want to lose fitness but now understand that I need to plan my training daily and weekly. If you do a high intensity session then I always follow it with a day off or a recovery session in the pool. If i run one day, i'll lift weights the following day...
    I am not sure of your current training routine but you are more than welcome to post it and I can take a look at it for you. You may just need to tweak your training. I find a lot of my problems arise because I do not rest and do not listen to my body. I have always been physicially strong and have learnt to shut out pain especially when training so intensly. You need to recognise which is arthritic pain and which I DOMS and sports related.
    Hope that has helped a bit
  • averyniceman
    averyniceman Member Posts: 75
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    bailey27 wrote:
    Hi
    I am a 28 year old female fitness freak and personal trainer.
    I used to play footy at a womens premier league level and currently do a lot of running and compete regularly in kickboxing. I have only recently been told I have arhthritis by my GP and am waiting to have first rhematologist appointment.
    I have been told I have arthritis in hips and lower back following MRI scan but am pretty sure I have it in my knee, toes and fingers. I am having knne suregery in couple of weeks to egt it all cleaned out.
    I struggle to keep on top of the flare ups as I can go days without a problem and then wont be able to get out of bed the next day. I dont want to lose fitness but now understand that I need to plan my training daily and weekly. If you do a high intensity session then I always follow it with a day off or a recovery session in the pool. If i run one day, i'll lift weights the following day...
    I am not sure of your current training routine but you are more than welcome to post it and I can take a look at it for you. You may just need to tweak your training. I find a lot of my problems arise because I do not rest and do not listen to my body. I have always been physicially strong and have learnt to shut out pain especially when training so intensly. You need to recognise which is arthritic pain and which I DOMS and sports related.
    Hope that has helped a bit

    I like to weight train and so have thought a lot about this. At the moment I work out every other day, with heavy weights, on the top half of my body -- but I don't work on the muscles on the lower half. I've got a lot of knee pain and I'm a bit scared.

    The medics have advised me to do high rep frequency and low weights. Afraid to say I have so far ignored their advice about that!

    And I agree it's hard to tell DOMS from arthritis pain.
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    You are young! I used to run, play tennis, swim, walk etc prior to my osteo arthritis now I'm lucky if I can walk to the car!
    It's not fair that one so young should suffer. I hope someone out there reads your email.
    Take care.
    Sharmaine
    lesbleus wrote:
    Hello,

    First time visiting this forum so hello all. I am 16 and play rugby union for the London Wasps but whenever I play it takes me three days to recover and get back to the normal level of pain but then I have training the next day and am unable to put in a full performance.

    I was diagnosed with poly arthritis in 2004 and have had constant problems with it in most of my joints but especially in my; left shoulder, both knees, both hips, right ankle, left wrist and all my fingers.

    I was just wondering how long it takes anyone else to recover from playing sport?
  • bailey27
    bailey27 Member Posts: 689
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    bailey27 wrote:
    Hi
    I am a 28 year old female fitness freak and personal trainer.
    I used to play footy at a womens premier league level and currently do a lot of running and compete regularly in kickboxing. I have only recently been told I have arhthritis by my GP and am waiting to have first rhematologist appointment.
    I have been told I have arthritis in hips and lower back following MRI scan but am pretty sure I have it in my knee, toes and fingers. I am having knne suregery in couple of weeks to egt it all cleaned out.
    I struggle to keep on top of the flare ups as I can go days without a problem and then wont be able to get out of bed the next day. I dont want to lose fitness but now understand that I need to plan my training daily and weekly. If you do a high intensity session then I always follow it with a day off or a recovery session in the pool. If i run one day, i'll lift weights the following day...
    I am not sure of your current training routine but you are more than welcome to post it and I can take a look at it for you. You may just need to tweak your training. I find a lot of my problems arise because I do not rest and do not listen to my body. I have always been physicially strong and have learnt to shut out pain especially when training so intensly. You need to recognise which is arthritic pain and which I DOMS and sports related.
    Hope that has helped a bit

    I like to weight train and so have thought a lot about this. At the moment I work out every other day, with heavy weights, on the top half of my body -- but I don't work on the muscles on the lower half. I've got a lot of knee pain and I'm a bit scared.

    The medics have advised me to do high rep frequency and low weights. Afraid to say I have so far ignored their advice about that!

    And I agree it's hard to tell DOMS from arthritis pain.


    I believe a good core strength training program can benefit all people, all ages and all stages of arthritis. I have neglected this part of my training and have since incorporated into my daily routine. It doesnt matter what age you are keeping yourself as strong as possible will inevitably reduce stress on your joints and cause you less problems now and in later lfe.

    Weight training upper body one, lower the next is a good idea but remember to stretch and incorporate core stability exercises.
  • averyniceman
    averyniceman Member Posts: 75
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    How do I find a personal trainer who will understand the implications of Arthritis -- are there any qualifications I should look for?
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    How do I find a personal trainer who will understand the implications of Arthritis -- are there any qualifications I should look for?

    Hi

    If you enquire via your surgery they may be able to help you find a suitable personal trainer as some gps send their patients to the gym.

    If you are finding your own, ask the trainer if they have experience of working with peeps with arthritis. A trainer with a background in physical education or exercise science is important when you have a medical condition, and a trainer who asks to speak with your doctor/rheumy/consultant about limitations is also a good sign-it suggests a serious and responsible professional.

    Just a thought.

    Elna
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • newark
    newark Member Posts: 32
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there,

    I also worked as a Personal Trainer and am a gym bunny. I made the mistake of training through the pain with my hips and had to change careers as a result. I've now had both hips replaced but love my new job so will stay with it.

    I still love the gym and pilates. I agree with previous posts, it is so important not to ignore the arthritis pain as it means damage is being done to your body. I also agree that core stability is essential - pilates is brilliant for this, there are classes in most areas now.

    I am now 10 weeks following having both my hips replaced and am about to start aqua jogging. I've accepted i shouldn't jog on hard surfaces (eventually!) but noone said anything about running in the water. You can get non slip shoes to protect your feet in the pool and floatation belts which work the abs and make the whole exericise more challenging and effective. See? There are always alternatives.

    Rugby is going to take it's toll but I would say do what you can when you can and rest when your body tells you to.

    My surgeon once commented to me that their mantra for people with arthrits was: don't run when you can walk and don't walk when you can get the bus. I can't type my answer to that here :roll: - if exercise and training is part of your life and part of you then you will find a way.

    Good luck with your training.

    x
  • averyniceman
    averyniceman Member Posts: 75
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    newark wrote:
    Hi there,
    I agree with previous posts, it is so important not to ignore the arthritis pain as it means damage is being done to your body.
    x

    My own rheumatologist is very keen on exercise -- he says that no joint is ever damaged through excersise.


    Though he always recommends low impact, endurance.

    Opinions please :)
  • bailey27
    bailey27 Member Posts: 689
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    As a personal trainer I can honestly say that the training you receive you only cover a small amount in disease and illness. There a courses available to personal trainers which specialise in certain types of disease such as arhthritis and cardiovascualr so if looking for a personal trainer I would recommend you ask if they have taken a course in this.
    I am registered on the REPs (Register of Exercise Professionals) register. This is very important when looking for a personal trainer as every trainer has to have the regcognised qualifications and insurance to be on the register. When you look up a trainer it will list their qualifications alongside their name. It is very helpful especially as you can have peace of mind knowing you are not having some cowboy trainer who thinks they know what they are doing when in fact can do you more harm than good. REPs have their own website and you simply click on the link to 'Find a Trainer'.

    With referance to exercise on joints, yes it is good, but when it comes to sterngth training you need to be especially careful.
    Fror example, I have arhtritis in my lower back, I avoid Deadlifts and leg raises as this puts extra pressure on the lower back. I believe it is about swapping certain exrcises for others. If you have problems with your knees then dont go as long as normal in a squat.

    You also have to be aware that doctors are not qualified in strength and fitness! During medical training they have approximately 6 hours training in physical fitness so I wouldnt take your GPs advice all the time.

    The Plank aexercise is particualrly good for core strength. If you are particularly limited in your movement and cant manage this exercise then just sitting on a stability and rocking side to side and forwards and back with involve your core muscles. Gradually try and do the same laying on your front then on your back. ( you may need someone next to you for assitance the first couple of times).

    Sorrry for the long message hopefully it will be of use to you.
  • bailey27
    bailey27 Member Posts: 689
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    elnafinn wrote:
    How do I find a personal trainer who will understand the implications of Arthritis -- are there any qualifications I should look for?

    Hi

    If you enquire via your surgery they may be able to help you find a suitable personal trainer as some gps send their patients to the gym.

    If you are finding your own, ask the trainer if they have experience of working with peeps with arthritis. A trainer with a background in physical education or exercise science is important when you have a medical condition, and a trainer who asks to speak with your doctor/rheumy/consultant about limitations is also a good sign-it suggests a serious and responsible professional.

    Just a thought.

    Elna

    GPs often refer you to a gym who they may have a contract with...do not fall into this trap. Many gyms emplor kids straight out of school who will train epople ut have no formal qualifications or experience. Fine for the average Jo who wants to build his muscles but not for GP referrals. This is something which I dont think the government has looked into well enough in my opinion.
    To find a qualified trainer go on the REPs website. All qualified trainers will be on here with their qualifications listed alongside their name. If they are not on this register you need to ask them why!
    Hope this helps.
  • bailey27
    bailey27 Member Posts: 689
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    newark wrote:
    Hi there,
    I agree with previous posts, it is so important not to ignore the arthritis pain as it means damage is being done to your body.
    x

    My own rheumatologist is very keen on exercise -- he says that no joint is ever damaged through excersise.


    Though he always recommends low impact, endurance.

    Opinions please :)

    Totally agree with you. It is uite simple though, if you feel pain then stop!

    Dont try to be He-man and lift weights too heavy for yourself.
    When lifting weights try to alternate your rep range every 4-6 weeks from 3x12 to 3x10, 3x8, 3x6 and repeat to keep our muscles thinking and encourage growth.