By Postmedia SEO
Now more than ever, we need distractions, and we need to have fun. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on communities and neighbourhoods all over the world, and people are looking for ways to stay active and energized.
Sports allow us to exert our bodies, minds, and competitive spirit; however, it’s important to remember that we must prepare ourselves before sports to prevent avoidable injuries. At the Sport Manitoba Clinic, we want everyone to enjoy sports and enjoy them safely. The following article will give you three ways to prevent sports-related injuries.
Warm-up Properly
Warming up is an important part of working out and playing sports. A dynamic warm up is necessary to improve bloodflow to parts of your body that will be used the most throughout the game. For example, if you’re playing a game of baseball, you’ll want to take a short jog around the bases to get your heart rate up a bit, then do some progressive throws, and swing a bat. Ensure that you have a little cool down after the game as well to reduce the risk of muscle inflammation.
Always Wear Protective Gear
Sports are fun, but they’re also very fast. While continuous practice will improve your ability to react to events within the game, it’s impossible to adjust for every in-game situation, which is why it is so important to wear the appropriate protective gear before you start playing.
For example, while you may be a very skilled hockey player, it’s nearly impossible to predict an errant high stick to the face, which is why you need to wear a helmet and a mouthguard! Remember to teach your kids about the importance of always wearing proper protective gear, so they know how to protect themselves if you’re not around.
Take a Rest and Stay Hydrated
The human body is an amazing thing, but it’s not impervious to fatigue and exhaustion. If you’re pushing yourself to exercise and play sports, make sure that you designate rest days, so your body can recover and recuperate following the intensive workout. Taking rest days and significant breaks while playing sports will reduce your risk of sustaining a serious injury as you’ll be rested and able to react to events occurring in the game.
Furthermore, make sure that you stay hydrated as you play sports. As your body sweats to cool you down, you’ll need to consume fluids (i.e. water, sports drinks) to replenish your system. This will prevent dehydration and other risks like fainting.
Sports are a great way to stay in shape and have fun, but remember, it’s most important that you stay safe while playing. Reduce your risk of injury by listening to the tips mentioned above. For more information, please contact the Sport Manitoba Clinic today!
