As the 2010 Olympics come to a close, we have seen many amazing performances where athletes appear to push their bodies to the very limits. They race down snow hills on skis at 160 miles per hour, perform quadruple jumps in ice skates, or race at break neck speed down an ice track. These athletes have seen injuries in their sports and even in their own lives, but still were able to succeed in producing an athletic performance that was worthy of a Gold Medal.

You may never be competing in the Olympics, or you may only want to walk around daily without pain or discomfort. Whatever the goals you have, you can earn your own "Gold Medal" by taking simple steps in your life to protect your health and allow continued activities. Here are our steps to earning your own "Gold Medal" (or at least performing at your best...):

1. Listen to your body. Evan Lysacek, a gold medalist in men's figure skating, suffered from a stress fracture in his foot prior to the World Championships. He therefore modified his performance by eliminating the quadruple jump and then after the World Championships gave himself time to heal without practicing in a walking boot. The stress fracture healed and he was able to perform at the highest level at the Olympics, because he listened to his body. Whatever level you want to perform at (even if it is just walking around the store), listen to your body and allow it to recover if pain is encountered.

2. Activities done carefully can prevent or overcome injuries. Dr Gibson has always said, "Pain is never normal." This is even true in regular activities. If you are exercising, some discomfort may be necessary to strengthen muscles or overcome injuries, but it should not be a regular part of activities or training you do. Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo of China, gold medalists in pairs figure skating, overcame a ruptured achilles tendon in 2005 to win the gold medal in 2010. Part of this process was limiting training and not overtraining as they worked back to full activities and ultimately to Olympic form in 2006 and again in 2010. So if you are "going for the gold, " by even playing with your kids, work into activities at a rate that will limit injury and allow you to stay active. You can overtrain (even if in good shape) and cause injury.

3. Enjoy what you do. Happiness is a choice, so you should enjoy your life and what you are doing. Bode Miller, gold medalist in men's super combined, quite competing after feeling less than happy about the progression of the sport. He came back after a disappointing 2006 season to perform well in the 2010 Olympics because his now having fun. He has found happiness in his live, with his new child and with his sport as he performs at the highest level. What is the difference from 2006 to 2010, it may be just that he is having fun again doing what he enjoys. Whatever you like to do can be incorporated into your daily routine and allow you to "reach for the gold."

Many of us will never perform in the Olympics, World Championships or even a State Championship. Our activities may be a marathon or may be playing tag with a child or grandchild. Or even simpler, maybe the activity is walking the mall with a teenager or walking through Disney with family. Whatever you "gold" may be, you should be active without pain. By Listening To Your Body, Carefully Progressing In Activities, and Enjoying What You Do, you can perform at your highest level and have a little fun too. If in that time you have pain, you should be seen by a specialist in foot and ankle care so that you can remain active.


Copyright (c) 2010 Mountain West Foot & Ankle Institute