- January 22, 2025
Nearly half of Poles practice sport regularly. However, they rarely prepare for physical activity and check their health condition. Only 6% of athletes consult a sports doctor. Meanwhile, prevention is the key to safe sporting activities. - It is thanks to it that we can protect ourselves from injury and get to know our body," says Aleksandra Socha, sabre and Olympics. The educational campaign "Healthy - ready - sport!" has just been launched, which is supposed to make the society aware of the need for regular health checks and inspections.
- Physical activity of Poles is developing dynamically. It is enough to look around to see how many people participate in sport and aspire to be athletes. However, it is not the best yet with the awareness of how our body works, what are its needs, whether it is really possible to practice a given sport, or maybe it is reserved only for athletes or young people - says Robert Korzeniowski, Business Newseria agency, manager of the Medicine for Sport and Active LUX MED Groups.
The latest report "Healthy - ready for sport!" shows that Poles spend more and more time actively, most often choosing to cycle (45%), run (25%), play football (17%), strength training (16%) and swim (14%). Every fourth Pole trains with high frequency: 7% do sport every day or almost every day and 17% do it several times a week. Greater physical activity does not mean, however, that Poles prepare for it professionally.
- Of the half of the population who do sport, only one in three people report to a doctor when they have a medical problem. As many as 25 percent of people believe that it is enough to reach for vitamins and supplements or simply do nothing and wait for a medical problem - Korzeniowski emphasizes.
More than half of Poles practicing sports admit that their trainings are based on their own knowledge and experience (54%). Less frequently, when planning a workout, they take into account the coach's indications (16%) or training advice (11%). Meanwhile, poorly selected physical activity can end tragically and bad equipment can cause injuries.
- Before we start practicing sports, it is worth to consult a specialist, how training should be composed, find a physiotherapist to whom we can always turn, know the address of a doctor who knows sports medicine. These are the people who will help us to make the first good decisions about practicing sports. However, we face a huge challenge, as only 6% of Poles practicing sports had any contact with a sports medicine doctor - Korzeniowski points out.
That is why the Polish Olympians and the LUX MED Group are launching an educational campaign "Healthy - ready - sport!" to make the society aware of the need for regular health checks and inspections, which are the basis for safe training.
- In our social action, the most important thing is to build awareness that every sporting activity must be practiced consciously. There are various risks and consequences, so it is important to have tests and contact with a doctor, physiotherapist or a person who conducts personal training - emphasizes Anna Rulkiewicz, president of the LUX MED Group.
A large part of physical activity induces us to exercise, which often exceeds our capabilities. Therefore, before starting an adventure with sport, basic laboratory tests should be carried out and specialists - a cardiologist or orthopaedist should be consulted. People who decide to practise professional sport should also check their oxygen and anaerobic abilities, as well as carry out functional and motor training.
- Tests, all diagnostics, prophylaxis are very necessary, I couldn't have worked without it. All research is information for me, what is happening in my body, at what stage I am, how my body reacts to adaptive changes. This is also information for the motor training trainer, fencing trainer and physiotherapist, so that they can consciously and wisely choose a further set of exercises - points out Aleksandra Socha, sabrelist, representative of Poland at the Rio Games.
The LUX MED Group also focuses on the development of sports medicine. In facilities where the Medicine for Sport and Active People programme is implemented, you can seek advice from doctors of various specialisations: orthopaedists, cardiologists, internists, dieticians, psychologists or physiotherapists. Everyone has experience in sport or is a doctor of sports medicine.
- In almost every institution in Poland we have sports medicine - many different programs, packages for children, teenagers and adults. We do functional research to check the body and its capabilities. We also offer sports jurisprudence. The main goal of our activities is to promote pro-health attitudes of Poles - convinces Anna Rulkiewicz.
