Sports are an excellent way of getting exercise and staying in shape, but they are not without their hazards. If you want to enjoy your favorite sports with minimal risk of injury, here are 3 things you should do.
Wear Protective Gear
Many sports either mandate or strongly recommend, that players wear some form of protective gear during play. Where this is the case, there will be a good reason for it! Make sure that you pay attention to any such requirements, and that you don’t neglect your safety in the interests of style or comfort. As well as making sure that you have the right safety gear, make sure that the gear you have fits properly and is able to protect you. For example, a helmet worn to play football should fit snugly and comfortably on your head, it shouldn’t be too loose.
In the majority of sports, players have the option of adding some extra protective gear of their choosing. For example, in contact sports like boxing and football, a mouth guard is not required, but it is strongly advised by many. At the end of the day, you are the best judge of the kind of conditions that you usually play sports in. It is up to you to decide where to draw the line and which safety options are excessive for your purposes. However, don’t be afraid to spend a little extra if it means significantly improving your safety.
As well as equipment that is designed to explicitly improve your safety, you can also reduce injuries by making sure the equipment you play with is of a high quality. If you play golf, for example, check out Atthetee.com for advice on the best clubs and other gear to buy.
Warm up Before and Cool Down Afterwards
It is always a sensible idea to warm up before you play any sport. However, many top athletes and physiotherapists also recommend that you warm up before you begin stretching. While many amateur athletes understand the importance of stretching their muscles before they begin any intense exercise, many overlook that even the simple act of stretching can cause injuries if your body isn’t prepared. All it takes is the smallest slip of the body, a slight shift in your weight, and it is easy to over-stretch and pull a muscle.
Before you begin stretching, or you start any intensive training, it is a good idea to do some light aerobic exercise beforehand. If you can manage 5 to 10 minutes of light jogging or running, this is an excellent way of putting your body in the right state for a workout.
Make Sure You Understand the Rules
It might seem like an obvious thing to say, but you should make sure you understand the rules and regulations of the sport that you intend on playing. One of the most common causes of avoidable sports injuries is a simple fact that some players don’t understand the game they are playing. Ensuring that you understand the rules and the flow of play will help considerably when it comes to playing in a safe and injury-free manner. If there are any aspects of your chosen sport that you aren’t familiar with, there are a variety of resources online that can help you out.
Staying safe while playing a sport doesn’t have to be difficult. As long as you are willing to invest the time and money required to source the best quality and best value equipment and knowledge, you should have no trouble reducing your risk of injury.
