The Olympic committee has unveiled one unique part of the next worldwide competition. In an announcement this summer, the committee showed a prototype of the Tokyo 2020 medals that are made from 80,000 tons of recycled mobile phones and other kinds of electronics. Not surprising, the Tokyo 2020 Medal Project sparked the donation of more than 6 million mobile phones across the country of Japan. In a country that is known for its technology, it should come as no surprise that these awards sparked many citizens of the country to make sure that they were doing their part for the sporting event that attracts the attention of the nation.
Although few of us are Olympic level athletes, we can all relate to wanting to perform our very best in an event that we love. And while a very small percentage of athletes will walk away from the 2020 Olympics with one of these medals made from recycled electronics, including cell phones, we all can imagine the effort that goes into earning the top prize in a chosen sport or activity.
Unfortunately, both recreational and professional athletes alike find themselves dealing with many challenges when it comes to staying active in their chosen sport. From sprained ankles to torn ligaments, there are many times when finding a way past an injury is the first, and sometimes only step, in make sure that an athlete can continue to work out. For this reason, there are many Americans who find themselves working with a physical therapy center in an effort to get back to being their best selves.
Physical Therapy Helps Many Athletes Return to Practice and Competition
Both athletes and non athletes alike find themselves looking for ways to stay in shape and be able to stay as active as possible. When the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC ) show that in 2018 only 23% of adults in the U.S. got enough exercise, you begin to see the role that fitness could be playing in this country. And while professional level athletes are working out at gyms on a daily basis, there are many other Americans who are struggling to even get to the fitness classes at their local fitness club. For many, lack of motivation keeps people from getting in the work that they need. Others, unfortunately, find themselves sidelined because of an injury caused by overuse or a fall.
With the help of physical therapy professionals, however, many of these athletes are able to get back to the gym, on the running track, or to whatever venue they love the most.
In a time when fewer than 5% of adults get 30 minutes of physical exercise every day, it is important that no person let an injury keep them inactive. Finding the right physical therapy rehabilitation location allows many people to get the help that they need, whether they are trying to get back to a morning walk around the neighborhood or a four hour workout on a bicycle.
Consider some of these other facts and figures about the fitness industry and the role that personal trainers, physical therapists, and fitness gyms play in the lives of many Americans:
- Nearly 40% of people indicate they try to exercise to relieve lower back pain at some time in their lives.
- With more than 180,000 fitness clubs around the world it should not be a challenge to get the needed exercise to keep a person healthy.
- 45% of millennials exercise regularly, according to a Nielsen Global Consumer Exercise Trends Survey./li>
- 36% of all regular exercisers participate in some kind of fitness class.
- As Americans attempt to work on their own levels of fitness, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that the number of jobs in the fitness industry is expected to increase by more than 23% over the next 10 years.
Few of us will ever even attend the Olympics, let alone compete in them or win a metal. Hopefully, however, the clever and creative use of recycled phones and electronics for the Olympic metals in the 2020 Tokyo games will serve as just one inspiration for the many ways that we can all be our most fit selves. From physical therapists to regular morning fitness classes, there are many ways a new routine will help you achieve your goals.
