ESO’s top tips to return to sports safely
As lockdown rules continue to lift, we are able to enjoy the freedom of returning to sports and hobbies many of us were forced to put aside for months. Hoorah! However, as with all new activities, returning to a sport following a prolonged period of inactivity brings with it an added risk of injury.
Our bodies don’t respond so well to changes in frequency or intensity of exercise in a short space of time so it’s important to reintroduce the activity gradually.
Follow our top tips to keep fit and well as you return to sports this summer.
- Mobilise your joints and muscles with some simple mobility work to strengthen your joints and muscles. Click here for our library of stretches, covering the whole body.
- Practice sport specific exercises to strengthen the muscles and joints most often used in your sport. For example, strikers in football may want to strengthen their thigh muscles with weights, whereas cricket bowlers may want to strengthen their shoulder rotation muscles.*
- Ease yourself into it gradually, playing less frequently and with less intensity than when you left off initially. This will help to reacquaint your body with the demands of your sport.
- Set aside enough time to effectively warm up and cool down every session
- Listen to your body – if it starts to give warning signs, take a break and come back after a day’s rest. Pain doesn’t always mean harm is being done but it is important to monitor it closely to avoid an injury. More than likely your discomfort will be the result of doing too much too soon, after doing so little for so long! Take it easy.
- Get help from your Osteopath before your aches and pains become an injury. They will be able to help with specific exercises to help you safely return to your sport as part of your treatment.
Your strength and stamina will soon come back! With patience and dedication to your sport you will be back to it in no time at all.
To book your ESO appointment, click here.
For any other questions, please get in touch here.
*If you’re unsure what muscles you should focus on for your sport, get in touch!