Playing any type of sport is a fun and enjoyable way to stay fit and healthy. However, it seems that for many athletes, professional or not, injuries have become the norm. Due to the frequency with which these injuries occur, it seems that sports and injuries are two sides of the same coin. Could not be farther from the truth. By following the correct techniques and pregame warmups, injuries can be largely avoided.
One of the oldest, but also often the most forgotten, ways to avoid sports injuries is to warm up and cool down before and after any game. Warmups serve their purpose by preparing both your body and mind for activity. Warmups are so called because they literally warm up the muscles that you’re going to be using for the game. In addition to warming up your muscles, pregame exercises also raise your heart rate and prepare your mind for activity. Because you’ve been fully exercised, you’re much less likely to suffer a pulled muscle or injury. A ten-minute warmup that targets the muscles you’ll use the most during the game should suffice.
After the game, cool down exercises should be performed to prevent sports injuries, particularly post game soreness. A ten-minute cool-down session normalizes your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Do the opposite of what you used to do during sports. If you’ve been running for a long time, walk or jog before showering. Follow your cool-down with stretching exercises right away so you can keep your muscles and joints flexible. Stretch the muscle groups that were used most frequently during the activity so that they become longer and more elastic over time. When your muscles are stretched regularly, you become less susceptible to injury due to the increased range of motion.
Another method of avoiding sports injuries is to wear the right shoes and the right sports clothing for your sport. There are practically shoes made for each type of sport that take into consideration all its aspects. Soccer shoes, for example, are made with spikes to prevent players from sliding across the ground in a sport that requires long periods of running and kicking on a grass or dirt surface. Basketball shoes are lightweight and well cushioned to allow players to jump and land without unnecessary injury from impact. You don’t normally need shoes while swimming, but swimsuits are essential so that you can glide smoothly through the water without too much resistance. By wearing the right gear, you prevent slips and falls while maximizing your game.
Finally, you can avoid injury by paying careful attention to proper form and technique when performing the movements in the sport. For more experienced athletes, this is second nature. However, newbies should spend more time perfecting their technique so that they take root. In golf, for example, proper posture is essential to prevent back and shoulder strain. Correct form is also essential for hitting long shots and sinking the ball into the hole.