Chloe Daniels (Canada - Women’s Rugby), Taylor Perry (Canada - Women’s Rugby), Will Jones (Canada - Men’s Sailing), Jackie Boyle (Canada - Cycling Track), Cassidy Deane (Canada - Women's Eight) and Claire Meadows (Germany - Women’s Basketball Coach) are current and former Queen’s students heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. With the Olympic Games starting in just a few days, let’s look at the health benefits of engaging in sport.
Social Health:
A major but commonly unrecognized health benefit of sports is the sense of community belonging that one gains. Whether it’s having teammates that feel like family or supporting the same team with your peers. This sense of community develops mutual respect, stronger self-esteem, and reduced chronic stress. It can also develop a network of increased access to resources and social support.
Physical Health:
Reduced risk of chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, and metabolic diseases
Increased muscle mass, coordination, and balance
Improved endurance and stamina
Mental Health:
Reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and distress
Increased cognition
Improved quality and duration of sleep
*Benefits vary depending on the type and intensity of sport/physical activity
Preventing Injuries
Injuries can happen at any level of sport which range in severity as well. Some preventative measures to avoid injuries include:
Proper warm-up and cool-down: engage in dynamic stretches and light exercises before full physical activity
Use appropriate equipment (e.g., helmet, knee pads, etc.)
Employ proper techniques/form to minimize strain on the body
Allow adequate time to rest and recover
Pay attention to pain and fatigue so you don’t overwork your body
Maintain good hydration and nutrition habits to support your physical activity
QSports Medicine (located in the ARC – lower level 1)
The QSports Medicine team is an amazing resource for the entire Queen’s community. They treat many health concerns related to physical activity, offered to all students, staff, and faculty. Services range from maintenance on habits/posture and mechanics to preparation and postoperative treatments for surgeries.
Professional services offered include:
Sports Medicine physician appointments
Athletic Therapy
Registered Massage Therapy
Chiropractic
Dietitian appointments
Sport Psychology appointments
Concussion assessment & treatment
Custom bracing
Off-the-shelf braces
They employ numerous therapies that are customized to your recovery plan. They include:
Shockwave therapy
Interferential Current (IFC)
Therapeutic ultrasound (US)
Red light therapy, Laser therapy
Blood Flow Restriction therapy (BFR)
Compartment Syndrome testing
Heat therapy
Cryotherapy
Traction therapy
Therapeutic Exercise prescription (joint collaboration with Health Promotion’s Peer Wellness Coaches and the ARC’s Physical Trainers!)
"The Q Sports Medicine Staff and I take great joy in helping patients of all ages and abilities recover, maintain, or improve their physical and mental health to become their best self. Whether it's a championship, personal best, self-improvement or just participation and a smile, hearing about and seeing improvements in the domains of mental and/or physical health, is very rewarding and makes us tremendously proud." – Ryan Bennett, QSports Head Athletic Therapist and Manager.
To view their website and book an appointment, click here.
References:
Malm, C., Jakobsson, J., & Isaksson, A. (2019). Physical Activity and Sports—Real Health Benefits: A Review with Insight into the Public Health of Sweden. Sports, 7(5), 127. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7050127
Michalski, C. A., Diemert, L. M., Helliwell, J. F., Goel, V., & Rosella, L. C. (2020). Relationship between sense of community belonging and self-rated health across life stages. SSM - Population Health, 12, 100676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100676
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