Whether you’re an athlete playing at a high level or just the average Joe looking to stay in shape, sports may be an important factor in your life.  But with the physical and emotional highs such activities can bring, nothing can ground you more than an injury.

The last thing you want to do is lose time from the game because you’re injured.  I mean who wants to sit and watch from the sidelines in pain when you can be out there playing, right?  The thing is not all injuries are a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Some can actually be prevented. 

Here are just four tips to keep in mind the next time you take part in any physical activity:

• Stretching may not be the most entertaining activity out there, it should be a part of your routine AFTER any involvement in sport.  This helps in keeping your muscles loose and helps reduce the chance of damage to them.  Specific stretching of areas that lack mobility can help prevent injuries.  Read more here about dynamic stretching prior to activity.

• If you’re starting a new activity, and especially if working out, remember to take your time.  Putting your body through a high degree of physical activity right from the beginning may increase the chance that your muscles and joints become too strained and eventually breakdown.  Start out slow and as your body becomes more accustomed to the demands of the action, you can increase your intensity.  More info on weight-training injuries here.

• Rest is your friend.  Regular exercise can be fun and is a part of a healthy lifestyle but it’s just as important to take days off in between events to allow your body the proper time to heal itself.  Read more here about the importance of rest.

• It’s one thing to experience soreness when playing a sport or while training, but it’s something entirely different if pain is involved.  If this is the case, you should stop immediately and if the pain persists then consult a doctor.

No one wants to think about getting injured, but by taking the time to prevent any you may just find yourself spending less time rehabbing them too. 

For more tips on this topic, please contact the health professionals at Kew Gardens Health Group.

Written by Stephen Colomvakos

So you’ve made another New Year’s resolution to get in shape but you’re already struggling to keep your promise.  You want to stay fit but you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of attaining the ‘perfect body’.  While everyone would love a six-pack, who really wants to spend the time, right?  Ditto for sculpted pecks and 24-inch biceps a la Hulk Hogan in his prime.  Going to the gym can be costly and time consuming, especially over the cold, dark winter months, but staying active doesn’t have to be a difficult task.

While New Year’s resolutions are meant to make your life better, they don’t have to be earth-shattering.  Where your physical well-being is concerned, it’s okay to keep with a regiment that is simple.  What’s important is getting in the habit of exercising and living a healthier lifestyle.  Before spring arrives, when outdoor activities are more welcoming, here are four exercises to keep in mind so you can stay active:

• treadmill / elliptical machine – if you would consider getting a gym membership then maybe put some serious thought into buying a piece of equipment for your home (exercising in front of the tv or setting up your I-Pod station is a fun little distraction to help you get through your workout)

• lunges or squats – speaking of the television, use commercial breaks to keep active (if you don’t have any weights at home, find some everyday objects around the house instead – think bottles of laundry detergent, for example)

• the mall – if walking is more your style, the mall is an excellent place to spend some time

• the office – use your breaks as a time to stretch your legs and walk around (you can always take a colleague with you to make it more enjoyable)

While you may have to be a little creative while the snow is here, there are still opportunities out there for you to exercise.  Just remember to try to make each experience as enjoyable as possible and maybe, just maybe, you might actually keep that New Year’s resolution for a change. 

Written by Stephen Colomvakos