Athletic Intelligence & Pain - What to listen for...

Athletic intelligence is about changing , altering or adapting what you do to the context of training and/or competition. Pain is one thing that you either need to manage, or it will end up managing you - particularly in relation to training, and getting better.

Remember not to confuse true pain with Self Imposed Discomfort (SID). Simply knowing 'to listen' doesn't necessarily help. It's good to know what to listen for.

Here are my four key areas for you to listen for:

1) acute, unusual and sudden pain:
· pressure, stabbing or ‘fullness’ pain in the chest, that may radiate into your arms, neck, jaw and face
· sudden lightheadedness, dizziness, headache or vertigo that doesn’t pass quickly
· unusual shortness of breath - without a cough – when resting, or between intervals
· a stab, shot or sudden-searing pain in a muscle or tendon that makes you suddenly change your action, technique or gait; slows you down or makes you limp or stop
· that radiates from your back or neck and down your leg/arm  

2) health:
· a prolonged low-grade fever or a fever that comes-and-goes; or, an ‘overnight’ high fever
· a fever associated with neck stiffness, chills, wet cough, profuse sweating, headaches
· a persistent cough not associated with a cold or flu
· coughing up blood, or green, yellow or reddish-brown mucus
· persistent abnormal or irregular bowel movements and urine not associated with diet related changes

3) fatigue:
Fatigue and temporary muscle weakness are normal when training regularly and performing some hard training, yet heed fatigue…

· not relieved by a few lighter days (50% volume, low intensity), or days off
· that persists over several weeks, and isn’t changed by improved sleep and diet
· associated with significant appetite change with weight gain/loss, energy and mood swings, and loss of motivation to train
· coupled with other symptoms: unusual pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, fever, significant muscle weakness
· significantly higher perceived effort or heart-rate at rest or during low intensity efforts
· inability to regularly complete or recover ‘normally’ from moderate or higher intensity sessions
· a persistent loss of technique, concentration and strength/power

4) musculoskeletal:
Some delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and muscle and joint stiffness is normal when increasing or changing the nature of your training load, particularly after a ‘rest’ phase. Yet, be attentive to…

· sudden or acute muscle, tendon or joint pain that gets worse (likely a strain or sprain that will require R.I.C.E.R. and/or medical assessment)
· new or persistent pain, tenderness or swelling around joints, tendons and bones, and shooting nerve pain
· early morning and/or warm-up stiffness that becomes more persistent or painful
· asymmetrical pain – pain in one joint, or muscle group, on one side

Are these what you listen for (in relation to pain)?

Knowing when to listen is a key too...