The Holistic MAP to Athletic Wellness: A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22230/ijdrp.2024v6n2a441Keywords:
at-risk athletes, injury control, mindfulness, neuromuscular training, integrative, holistic medicineAbstract
You can’t use an old map to explore a new world.
—Albert Einstein
We are at a fork in the evolutionary road to athletic wellness. While elite athletes are achieving unsurpassed magnificence in strength, endurance, power, and skill, much of our population is experiencing a devolution from poor lifestyle choices that negatively influence both human and planetary health. The alarming descent to a lesser state of collective health puts most of our sedentary population at greater risk of injury, disease, dysfunction, and chronic pain. The father of sports medicine, Herodicus, was the first known physician to recommend exercise for the treatment of disease, recognizing its powerful influence on quality of life and health span. Athletic participation is linked with improved physical and mental health, as well as reduced obesity, disability, and disease. However, sports may also result in physical, psychological, social, athletic, professional, and financial repercussions.1 The international scientific community has rallied with tremendous research over the past decades to promote sustainable athletic participation and healthy active living. While tremendous efforts have been launched to engage in this challenging endeavor, a significant problem remains due to the multifactorial nature of athletic injuries. The full potential for body-mind-spirit resilience and wellness is achieved through the balance of all interdependent components, considering all possible biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors influencing each athlete to establish an individualized, holistic mindset, agility, and personalization (MAP) approach toward injury-free sports and active living.
