Gearing up for summer sport!
It’s that time of year again! People all around our community are dusting off cricket bags and tennis racquets, ready for the long hot summer of sport!
Injuries in sports such as tennis and cricket are extremely common. So we thought we would give you some tips to help avoid injury this summer.
Warm Up!
This is perhaps the most over-looked aspect of sport over summer. Just because the weather is warm outside, does not mean that your muscles are warm and ready to play. Make sure you spend some time before the game to actively stretch and prepare yourself. This can go a long way to reducing soft-tissue injuries, and allows you to perform at your best!!
Stay hydrated!
At trainings and game day, it is vitally important that you are consuming enough water so that you can function to the best of your ability. In the heat, your body produces a large amount of sweat to cool you as you exercise. By making sure you consume plenty of water, you can help yourself in the prevention of soft tissue injuries, cramps and heat exhaustion.
Recovery!
Summer sports can be very taxing on your musculoskeletal system. It is vitally important that after a game or training session, you are taking all the necessary steps to ensure that you are ready to go next time you play. Be sure to perform some static stretching, use a foam roller, go for a walk in the pool or at the beach, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!!
Keep training specific!
Sports such as tennis, golf and cricket include specific movements of the upper and lower extremities. Be sure that you are training for the movements that you will be performing on game day. For example, cricketers should be focusing on shoulder strength and flexibility, as well as rotation through the trunk as these make up a lot of the movements performed whilst playing. Tennis players should focus on knee and ankle stability, as well as forearm and grip strength training.
Remember, if you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to give PO+AH a call on 5253 2345 to see what an Osteopath, Myotherapist or Exercise Physiologist can do for you! We have appointments available 6 days a week at two convenient locations; Drysdale and Leopold.
