From sprains to gains, sports enthusiasts take injuries calmly

Editor's note: As fitness and sports continue to surge in popularity across China, a growing number of enthusiasts are also encountering the inevitable challenges of injuries. These articles delve into the intersection of passion, perseverance and the physical demands inherent in athletic pursuits.

In recent years, the internet catchphrase "At the end of the gym lies the orthopedics department" has gained traction among young people. As a fitness novice in my thirties, I can relate to this saying.

In March last year, while speeding down a ski slope in Chongli district, Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, I took a sudden fall, resulting in an ambulance ride to the nearby Peking University Third Hospital Chongli Branch.

The diagnosis revealed fractures in my left fibula and ankle. Although surgery was necessary, it was not overly complex.

This incident occurred during only my second time skiing. With the Winter Olympics in China fueling interest in ice and snow sports and improved accessibility due to the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, I was one of many adventurous individuals from Beijing exploring this high-octane sport in Chongli.

During my weeklong stay in the orthopedics department, I encountered young patients from across the country who had come to Chongli to take part in extreme sports, awaiting treatment to mend their broken bones.

Upon revisiting the hospital in Chongli last winter for interviews during a skiing event, I saw again that the orthopedic ward was busy.

Zhang Peng, the associate chief physician who treated me, humorously described the scenario of treating patients in emergencies, saying, "Conquering the snowstorm while skiing, but shedding tears after a fracture."

As fitness-for-all initiatives have become a strategic focus for governments, health has become a prevalent topic in China. China has set a goal to achieve 15-minute fitness circles in certain areas this year. At least one public stadium, track, fitness center, sports park or venue should be built for a county-level administrative area with more than 200,000 permanent residents.