Greetings
We have recently added a new cervical spine anatomy video on our website. Click here to visit our cervical spine anatomy article and click play on the player to view the new video.
Gearing up for summer activities
Now that the nice weather is coming our way, you may find yourself more active in the Spring and Summer. This month's newsletter is focused on preparing for sports.
Regular exercise is highly recommended for enhancing or maintaining proper health; and with Spring quickly approaching, many individuals are preparing to return to outdoor activities. It is important to properly stretch the muscles before engaging in recreational activities, whether you are a seasoned veteran or a rookie! Failing to properly warm-up and stretch before participating in sport may lead to painful and unnecessary injuries.
Stretching before physical activity or engaging in strength training has the potential to reduce the risk of soreness as well as the risk of injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. In addition, joints that have previously been injured can be protected from further injury by wearing supportive gear such as flexible braces; or by enrolling in specific training programs prior to participating in a sport.
What are the Benefits?
Regular exercise reduces the occurrence of chronic conditions that generally develop with age such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Persistent physical activity is also associated with increased muscle and bone strength. In addition to improving physical health, playing sports can boost social skills due to heightened interactions with other individuals, while having to learn and memorize sport-specific techniques and vocabulary can enhance cognition and memory.
Additional benefits of regular physical activity include:
- Enhanced lung function
- Increased energy and endurance
- Mood enhancement
- Lowered cholesterol
- A reduction in sleep disturbances
- The reduction of depression and anxiety symptoms
- A reduced risk of falling and enhanced cognitive function in the elderly
- Weight loss and weight control once a desired weight has been achieved
- A reduced occurrence of strokes and certain cancers (e.g. colon, breast cancer)
To remain physically active throughout the year, consider participating in different types of sports. When the seasons change, focus on the advantages of regular exercise. Performing a variety of exercises helps strengthen muscles and bones in different parts of the body.
If you are concerned about a previous injury or how to avoid injuries, our physiotherapists would be happy to assess your current physical state and create a program tailored specifically to your needs and goals. Call Peak Physical Therapy to make an appointment or to ask any questions you may have.
Click here to visit our sports resource centre for more information on avoiding injuries
From the team at Peak Physical Therapy!