Injuries help athletes to rest, extend career, says Parchment
BUDAPEST, Hungary – Hansle Parchment thinks there are some positives to sustaining injuries as he theorises that it actually forces athletes to rest.
According to Parchment, in doing so, atheletes can help extend careers, if treated properly.
Parchment, who has a degree in psychology from the University of the West Indies, Mona and who is no stranger to injuries, said athletes can benefit from the lay-off in training as well.
Addressing members of the media after Thursday’s Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Puma press conference in Budapest, he stated, “You know, when I think about injuries, it’s usually just bad thoughts and feeling down and so on. But, since I’ve gotten older I’ve realised there are some positives to take away from it.”
The Olympic Games 110m hurdle champion added, “Because when I get injured, I realise I have more rest time. I can give the muscles a chance to calm down. I give my legs a chance to calm down because running every day is just pounding, pounding, pounding – and we’re doing hurdles, so, that’s a lot more pounding than normal. So for me of course, good rest and I can recover faster. I think now more than ever so I can come back even stronger than before, after an injury.”
Parchment, who was second in the 110m hurdles at the JAAA national championships, will be seeking his first World Championships medal when the 19th World Championships starts later this week.