ROLE OF SWASTHVRITTA IN SPORTS MEDICINE

Abstract

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medical system. Sports medicine is a discipline of medicine that deals with physical fitness as well as the treatment and prevention of sports and exercise-related injuries. Direct references of this neither mentioned in ancient nor in modern medicine. Sportsmen's basic needs are to maintain fitness throughout events and to have increased physical and mental stamina. Sports medicine has two objectives. The primary goal is to improve the athlete's fitness, and the secondary goal is to treat the athlete's athletic injuries. So, without a doubt, prevention is better than treatment in the case of athletes. When it comes to prevention, Ayurveda may play a major role, as the first goal of Ayurveda is "Prevention of Health." Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, which is based on the thought that health and wellness depend on a fine equilibrium between the mind, body and spirit. Ayurveda can make some possible contributions to this field of sports medicine. We certainly do not find direct references to sports medicine in Ayurvedic samhitas, but after much close observation and precise interpretation of Ayurvedic texts, we discovered an idea about how to deal with sports medicine. Vyayama (exercise), Abhyanga (massage), Yoga Asanas, Dhyana (meditation), Rasayana (Rejuvenation therapy), Dincharya (Daily regimen) and other Ayurvedic procedures can provide the best results in sports medicine.