Tips To Prevent Sports Injuries

by Heather McLaughlin

One of the worst things to have happen to you when you decide to embark on a fitness kick is to hurt yourself before you even get started.

Here are some tips to help you prevent sports injuries.

1. Be sure to stretch both before and after exercise. Cold, stiff muscles are more likely to get injured. Before you start aerobic exercise such as running, jogging or a step aerobics video make sure to spend at least 10 minutes stretching out your major muscle groups. Once you’ve finished the aerobic part of your workout, stretch again to help “cool down.”

2. Don’t start exercising at full throttle. Start your exercise routine slow and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workout. As you get more fit, you should be able to add time and intensity without risking injury.

3. Always use suggested gear and proper techniques. Make sure to keep yourself safe by using recommended equipment. If you are running, make sure to have proper running shoes that provide the support and cushioning your feet need. If you are riding a bike, make sure that you have a safety helmet and that the bike is fit properly for your size.

4. Consider cross training. Many people do aerobics 3-4 weekly and lift weights on 2 or 3 days. This type of training gives your body a rest while working another set of muscles. You might also consider mixing up your routine with swimming, biking or another form of aerobic exercise.

5. Listen to your body! If you’re feeling sore or have pain, give your body a day to rest before doing the same exercise again. If you have sudden pain while in the middle of exercising, stop at once so as to not make it worse.

I hope this handful of tips gets you off to the beginning of a healthy relationship with exercise.

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