Tips to Prevent Sports Injuries

Summer is on the horizaon and with it comes increased activities. We see our sons and daughters, our husbands and boyfriends playing in sport activities. I tend to go to the gym for aerobics and to the pool for swimming. With the increased activity we are all prone to sports injuries. Most sports injuries are due to either traimatice injury or overuse. Most injuries cand be avided by proper conditioning, training and equipment.

Warm up before exercising. Stiff muscles and ligaments are more susceptible to injury.

Increase the intensity and duration of your exercise activity gradually. As you become more fit your levelof endurance improves

Use proper sports techniques and equipment. Wear the proper fhoes when exercising. If you bike, assure that the seat and pedals are at a comfortablelevel

Cross train, Alternate your days of activities. Swim one day, go biking the next, take a walk on another.

If you start to have aches and pains do not ignore the pain. Rest and apply ice if necessary

If you feel that you have injured yourself, it doesn't mean that you have to stop exercising, choose an alternate exercise that will not effect your injury. Do not hurry to the activity that caused an injury

Break your sports activity down to components, if you throw a ball, throw it a short distance, if you can throw the ball at a short distance without pain, increase the strength behind the throw to a longer distance. If you walk comfortably then try to jog. Increase at a low level.

Stretching can increase your range of motion and reduce stiffness and pain

Use caution if you have heart trouble, undiagnosed chest pains, hgh blood pressure check with a doctor before you start any regular exercise.