The reason we exercise is to be healthier- to take care of our bodies by increasing strength and endurance. So when you suffer an injury as a result or exercise, it can be frustrating to say the least. Not only can it set you back and hinder your progress, but hurting your body when you try to help it’s the last thing you want. Luckily there are a number of things you can do to stop injury while playing sports, here are three of them.
Invest in good footwear
Research shows that on average we spend thirteen hours a day sitting. In addition to sleeping eight hours a day, this means a really sedentary life for many of us. One of the best things you can do for your health is get up more, stand, walk, or move around rather than sitting. As you’ll be standing and moving more, you need the right footwear that will support your feet. Increased activity can put quite a lot of pressure on the feet leading to conditions like plantar fasciitis. This is the band of muscle that connects your heel to your toes, increased activity coupled with insufficient support from your shoes can cause heel pain that can take a long time to heal. You need footwear designed for the activity you are doing, for example lifting weights and running require different shoes. You can even use orthotic insoles like these biopods. com which can restore optimal foot function and supply additional support and cushioning to your feet.
Incorporate stretching into your routine
One of the most common types of sports injuries are strains, sprains, and tears. This is where the muscles and ligaments are stretched beyond their means, tearing the fibers leading to quite a lot of pain and stiffness. One way you can reduce your chances of this injury is by increasing your flexibility. Stretching helps extend the muscles safely and offer you a greater range of motion. That way, when you exercise, you are less likely to overexert yourself and injure yourself. Incorporate yoga or pilates sessions into your weekly schedule. Exercise does not must break a sweat and make for an effective burn.
Know your limits
When you work out, obviously it is great to push yourself- that’s how you can get fitter, stronger and see the results. To keep improving, you need to push your body to do what it is never done before. However you definitely need to know what your limits are and know when your body has had enough. This can stop injury, in some cases overworking the heart can be very dangerous. The trick is with set realistic goals– exercise until you can feel the burn, then add a little every time. For example, if you can run for five minutes until you are out of breath, increase it to six minutes; do not do more until you can comfortably run for six. This will stop you from doing too much. If you invest in a fitness tracker, you can even track your heart rate and ensure it stays within a safe level.
