You exercise to help protect your health, feel good, and for many other beneficial reasons. When you injure yourself during exercise, however, you will often have the opposite outcome. It is important to learn strategies for preventing injury during exercise. This will enable you to exercise in a way that will enhance your health, rather than harm it. If you have been injured during exercise, it will be important to work with our experts at Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy for the appropriate treatment. Here are a few of our tips for preventing injury during exercise.
Warm Up and Cool Down
Whenever you exercise, it is essential to spend some time both warming up and cooling down. When you immediately jump into vigorous exercise, it is far more likely that you will become injured. Spend several minutes warming up and cooling down to minimize the chances that you will sustain an injury while exercising.
Stretch Often
Stretching helps to increase your flexibility, as well as lengthen out sore muscles. When you stretch often, you can often prevent injuries. Many injuries are caused by overextending your muscles. When you stretch regularly, you increase your range of motion, which reduces the likelihood that you will overextend these muscles.
Stay Hydrated
When your muscles become dehydrated, it is much more likely that they will become injured. Whenever you exercise, it is important to increase your hydration to meet the extra demand on your body.
Rest
Preventing injury during exercise requires resting between workouts. Weight lifting, for example, cause micro tears in your muscles. When you allow the muscles to rest, they repair the tears and build back stronger. Without enough rest, you prevent this recovery. It is also important to vary your workouts. When you do the exact same workout every day, it is more likely that you will injure the muscles that you are working.
Practice Proper Form
Whenever you exercise, it is essential to ensure that you practice proper form. Improper form tends to lead to strain on various areas of the body, which can lead to injuries. For example, practicing lunges without the appropriate form can place strain on your knees and cause injuries to occur.
Use the Right Equipment
Whenever you exercise, it is important to ensure that you use the right equipment. Wear the appropriate gear for your specific exercise. Supportive running shoes can help to spread the force out evenly across your legs to prevent damage. Cleats can help to prevent slips and falls while playing soccer. Always use the right equipment for the type of exercise you are doing.
Listen to your Body
Pay attention to the signals that your body is sending you. Many injuries are caused by overworking your body and not listening to signals. The term “no pain, no gain” can actually lead to injuries. While a hard workout may be uncomfortable, physical pain can be a sign of injury. Allow yourself to rest when your body needs it.
At Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy, we offer an array of services to help protect your health and prevent injuries. The appropriate treatment can go a long way toward accelerating healing and protecting your body. Physical therapy can help you to manage your pain and get on the path to wellness. To learn more about how to prevent injury during exercise, contact us at Wasatch Peak Physical therapy today!
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