'Revenge exercise' after pandemic time-out resulting in injuries

Medical experts are urging people to take care when resuming sporting activities after the long time-out due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Local orthopedic doctors report a number of people have come to them after injuring themselves through strenuous exercises without a proper warm-up.

“We have conducted six ankle surgeries in the past two weeks, much higher than the same period last year,” said Dr Zou Jian from Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital. "Many injuries are due to revenge-like exercise after being kept at home for such a long time.

“Muscles have memory. People had to suspend exercises in the past months to avoid the epidemic, so their sports ability did degenerate gradually. Without proper warming-up, sudden exercise is very likely to cause  injury.”

He said people with ankle injuries should visit their doctor immediately for quick treatment, or there could be irreversible damage.