3 Nutrition
When you injure yourself in the gym, playing sports, or in general life, it is common to question what you might have done differently. What were you doing ‘wrong’ at this time that led to the problem? This is an understandable way to think about the issue, but it might not actually be all that helpful.
That’s because in many cases, the injury was actually as good as guaranteed before you even set foot in the gym. You sealed your fate prior to the actual training.
If you hit the gym with poor nutrition, for example, having eaten poorly for months on end, then you will have weaker cartilage, ligaments, and tendons owing to low vitamin C (used to create collagen), low calcium, and low protein.
Likewise, if you are dehydrated at the time of training, this will vastly increase your likelihood of tearing something. Hydration helps to act as a lubricant, as well as to improve the general flexibility and elasticity of much of our connective tissue. If you aren’t drinking enough prior to training, then the injury is common.
Stress and lack of sleep are also factors that can make injury more likely. So try to think in the broader context of your day and lifestyle, not just that fortuitous moment that you heard the pop.