Kyphosis: A Sports Fan's Injury
Alex Johnson explains what Kyphosis is, why it is potentially a sports fan injury, and how to avoid it.
As sports practitioners, we have all either suffered from or know someone that has had some injury. Whether it is a pulled muscle or something more severe like a broken bone, there is always a danger of physical harm when you engage in physical activity. However, many people who enjoy sport often overlook the physical damage you can do if you are a fan of the genre. Although the risk of injury when you watch sport is significantly less than when you partake in it, a few tweaks can afflict you if you are not careful.
Dangers of Being a Sports Betting Fan
One of the biggest traps a keen sports fan can fall into is spending too much time on their computer. Over the last few years, online sports betting has given spectators a new way to engage with their favourite sport. By opening up the industry to a new demographic, sports betting aggregators such as www.britishbookmakers.co.uk have provided thousands of fans with more ways to watch and bet on sport.
However, with this increased level of engagement and enjoyment comes the danger of Kyphosis. Commonly known as forward heard, this condition is a degeneration of correct posture around the top of the spine. In technical terms, Kyphosis is described as a spine curvature of 60 degrees or greater. A common cause for this condition is spending too much time looking at a computer screen. When your keyboard and monitor are not at the correct height, it will cause you to slump forward, and over time this causes the spine to curve.
The adverse effects of Kyphosis, other than aesthetics, are back pain, stiffness in the neck and shoulders, and increased risk of a back injury. When you spend too much time on your computer watching, betting, or reading about a sport, you risk degrading your performance. Developing Kyphosis impacts your ability to perform specific movements and increases your risk of further injury. So, avoiding it should be the goal of every sports fan.
Beating Kyphosis
While it is easy to say that "maintaining correct posture" is essential, it is straightforward to fall into bad habits. Because of this, you need to continually reset yourself and perform specific exercises to align your spine correctly. In addition to purchasing an ergonomic chair and positioning your computer at the correct height, noted trainer and mobility expert Steve Maxwell suggests performing four exercises to combat kyphosis:
- The static wall facing squat
- Classic locust position
- Bow yoga pose
- Passive back bridge using a ball or your bed
Becoming a better physical specimen to bet on sport or watch it via your computer may not seem like a big deal. Still, it can become a significant issue when you consider the importance of the spine's alignment. Although you may cope with a stiff neck or a tweaked back when you are at home, Kyphosis will become an issue when you try to engage in the sport you love.
Performing at your best is not merely about what you do in the gym or the sporting arena; it is about your approach to life. As our culture becomes ever more dependent on computers, the risk of postural defects such as kyphosis becomes more relevant and something you need to combat at every opportunity.
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- JOHNSON, A. (2015) Kyphosis: A Sports Fan's Injury [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article185.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Alex Johnson is a freelance journalist who writes for Huffington Post and some of the larger sports publishers.