Can insufficient sleep increase sports injury risk and slow recovery?

Insufficient sleep can reduce reaction speed, attention, and movement control and can interfere with muscle repair, pain regulation, and recovery after training. Athletes should keep a regular schedule and allow enough sleep for their training load. Persistent insomnia, marked daytime sleepiness, or snoring with pauses in breathing warrants assessment.

Can strength training stunt growth or damage growth plates in young athletes?

When supervised by a qualified adult, strength training with appropriate loads, sound technique, and gradual progression does not usually impair height development. The main risks come from unsupervised training, maximal-load attempts, poor technique, and equipment accidents. Maximum-lift testing should be avoided before skeletal maturity.

Can someone with knee osteoarthritis continue running or doing squats?

Many people with knee osteoarthritis can remain active, and strength training can improve pain, stability, and daily function. Running and squat depth should be adjusted to pain, swelling, range of motion, and previous training experience. Reduce the load or use lower-impact exercise when symptoms remain meaningfully worse after activity.