The beautiful sunshine and long days of summer invite fun activities for family and friends outdoors. But while everything seems perfect, injuries can happen if we’re not careful.
It’s ideal to prevent injuries from happening in the first place if we can help it. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to avoid getting hurt while playing sports this summer, and who you can see for treatment if you do suffer an injury.
Prepare with Strength Training and Stretching
Building muscle strength will provide natural protection and support for your joints, which is especially important when playing sports. Also, stretching your muscles and warming up every time before you play a sport or exercise will help to keep your muscles loose – thereby helping to prevent injury.
Take Breaks
Overuse is one of the primary reasons why people who play sports get injured. It is tempting to continue playing until you’re beyond exhausted, but our bodies need rest – so always be sure to take breaks even during a game.
If you’re starting to feel an ache or a pain during a sport, stop playing and take a break. Your body is telling you that you’re pushing yourself too hard. If you keep playing through the pain, it could become a more serious injury.
This is especially true of repetitive motions, such as when playing tennis, golf, cycling, and running. Interrupt the repetition and take breaks so your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other tissues can rest.
Avoid Heat Stroke
If you’re playing out in the summer heat and fail to take breaks to drink fluids and cool off, you are susceptible to heat stroke – also called sun stroke. The combination of the heat from the sun and the activity of play could result in an increased body temperature, confusion, dizziness, and headache.
Water breaks are therefore essential. It is also a good idea to have a towel handy which you can get wet and place over your neck and shoulders to cool off as necessary.
Family Doctors in Manatee and Sarasota Counties
Playing sports requires a degree of fitness and preparation. Before you get out and play sports or enjoy your favorite summertime activities and exercise, talk to a doctor about how to get your body ready for summer. You and your entire family will receive excellent medical advice about how to stay healthy during both indoor and outdoor activities, so you can enjoy the camaraderie all season long.
Schedule an appointment today with one of our experienced, trusted physicians here at Intercoastal Medical Group. Our comprehensive practice includes everything from family medicine to surgery, from orthopedics to gynecology to imaging services. We have specialists who practice neurology, gastroenterology, urology, dermatology, and beyond. Our goal is to provide every nonemergency medical service our patients need.
If you have any questions about our medical services or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our caring staff today by calling us at the location near you or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your healthcare partner for a lifetime of health and wellness!
