Sports are a big part of many people’s lives. Some are just fans and enjoy spending time supporting their favorite teams. Others have children in sports and love to attend their games, cheer them on or even coach their teams. Still others actually participating in sports, either on a competitive basis or just as a way to stay active and spend time with their friends. For those who participate in sports, it’s important that they are doing what it takes not only to be their best in their chosen sport, but also to avoid injury. When injuries occur, they not only take them out of their sports for days, weeks or months, but they can also negatively affect the person’s life outside of sports. So what does it take to stay injury-free while staying competitive? The answer is mostly in the training and conditioning.
The first important thing for any athlete to keep in mind is to choose a sport that they enjoy. Unless you are a professional athlete who makes his or her living by the sport you participate in, there is no reason for you to waste your time or energy on a sport that you do not enjoy. It doesn’t matter if all of your friends are participating in that sport or if you’ve always been told that was the sport you were most likely to succeed in, choosing the sport that is fun and exhilarating for you is the best indicator that you will stick with it and that it will enhance your life.
The second important key is to work with people you feel comfortable with to help train you and treat you if injuries occur. We all want to spend time with those who make us feel comfortable and bring out the best in us, and it’s no different when it comes to sports. Choose the trainers, physical therapists, chiropractors and other professionals that you get along well with and it will make your sports experience that much more rewarding. You should also consider getting others involved in your sport that you already enjoy spending time with, such as family and friends. If you are really serious about your sport, it can take up quite a bit of your time between the preparation, training and the actual competing. This is time that might get taken from your friends and family, so why not get them involved as well? You can learn something together, get physical activity and still get to spend quality time together.
Great advice from our experts!
Advice for Those Who Want to Get Involved in Sports
Many people decide they want to get involved in sports as adults because it’s great exercise or because it provides them time with friends while still getting a workout in. If you’re interested in getting involved in competitive sports, Dave Kentopp from Anytime Fitness suggests visiting a doctor before becoming involved. “Your doctor can assess your body’s condition and give you advice as to what you can and can’t do,” Dave says. “Once you have the green light, find a good personal trainer. Make sure the trainer is certified, insured and has some background or knowledge in the sport you are starting. A trainer can give you an edge in helping you develop correct physical strength, conditioning and mechanics for your sport and also help you prevent injuries. You should also tell your training about any medical conditions you have so they can make modifications to your program.”
“Whether you are just starting out in sports or want to excel at a current sport, my advice is to become very aware of your body,” states Michael Zalman with Husker Rehabilitation and Wellness. “Do you have any weaknesses on one side of the body versus the other? Can you find limitations in your neck, shoulder, trunk, pelvis or hip range of motion when comparing side to side? These imbalances predispose us to injury. When symmetry and balance do exist, the system is allowed to run efficiently and maximum athletic performance results. This also helps to limit the chance for injury.”
Advice for Those Already Involved in Sports Who Want to Excel
Much of the same advice exists for the athlete who is already involved in sports but just wants to take their game to the next level. Dave Kentopp advises, “Balance your workout sessions with long sessions and shorter sessions to promote recovery. Cross-training with different workout and sports activities is beneficial in achieving better overall fitness. Cross-training can also help you avoid the chance of injury caused by too much of one kind of training. A good personal trainer can help change up your program and keep it fresh. Your trainer will guide your progress with the correct method, encouragement, and an extra “push” to make you successful.”
“One of the “game changers” for most athletes is cross training for sports performance,” concurs Jeff Dousharm with Tiger Rock Academy. “Cross training provides the athlete several key advantages. First, by changing up their workouts they avoid repetitive motions and overtraining that sometimes lead to injury. Second, varying the workout type through cross training gives athletes the opportunities to challenge their bodies in different ways which can result in making gains in strength, speed, explosiveness or muscle control…all things which lead to better overall performance. Finally, changing up the workout or cross training in another activity can help break through plateaus in an athletes’ training by finding new tools and training methods that their peers may not be engaging in, which can be a great competitive advantage. Tiger Rock Academy cross trains many athletes in all seasons. In the past and on the national level, we have worked with LSU during their championship season a few years back, the Minnesota Vikings, the Seattle Seahawks, and many individual athletes ranging from high school to college to pro athletes and everything in between. The explosive movements, range of motion, and muscle coordination that goes into learning martial arts translates well to most sports. Teaching an athlete to understand how to use their body more effectively helps maximize sports performance and recovery.”
Working with a team that are focused specifically on athletes, such as Domination Sports Training, is another excellent way to take your game to the next level. Domination’s training programs are cutting edge and their staff is comprised of athletes who have competed at the pinnacle of their sport. They make it a point to create an atmosphere that is conducive to improving your physical skills and attitude, making it possible to go further in your chosen sport.
Advice to Avoid and Treat Injury
Injuries can plague all athletes, from the very beginners to the most seasoned professional. Not only can injuries affect your participation in sports for days, weeks or more, but it can also affect the rest of your life in a negative way. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance to do everything you can to avoid injury when participating in sports and, if one occurs, to take the necessary steps to heal correctly and quickly.
“Begin at low effort intensity,” suggests Dave Kentopp with Anytime Fitness. “This gives you time to learn proper body mechanics and prepare your muscles for higher intensity. You also need to be aware. Listen to your body when you feel strained, fatigued or when you are feeling pain. It’s also very important to use proper clothing and equipment for your sport, beginning with correct footwear and protective gear. Making sure everything fits correctly is key.”
“Stretching is key,” adds Michael Zalman with Husker Rehabilitation and Wellness. “You must prepare your body before you go into the sport and after you are done. You also need to listen to your body and know when you can cut loose or when you need to pull back. Physical therapy and training will allow you to get the most out of your body on a consistent basis. If injury does occur, it is certainly beneficial to have a good physical therapist in your network to provide you with an immediate and comprehensive examination, effectively identifying the cause of the limitation and/or pain.”
Chiropractic is also an excellent resource for athletes, not only for avoiding or treating injury, but also to help them achieve maximum results. Chiropractors help athletes balance body and joint motion for optimal sports performance. Chiropractic adjustments promote full range of joint motion, stretch overly tight muscles, work underused muscles and reduce stress from overused tissues. An athlete who can move fully, with balance, and in control can perform his or her best.
Chiropractic is also excellent for treating injuries as it is a natural approach that can often treat injuries without surgery. Chiropractic also does not rely on pain medication, which can often be dangerous for the athlete as it covers up symptoms and deceive athletes into actions that could make the injury more serious.
Whether you are looking into competitive sports for yourself, your children are entering sports in school or you just want to stay active and think sports are a good way to do so, it’s important to get the right training to stay injury-free to and to excel to the best of your abilities. By working with the right professionals, you can achieve the goals you have set out for your sports involvement, get in shape and stay healthy!