You may find yourself to be more active during the summer time. While playing sports is beneficial to your health, you can be more at risk for physical and athletic injuries, so it’s vital to take care of your body before, during, and after engaging in physical activities or sports.
Always try to get your body warmed up, or ease into physical activity if you can. This will help prevent injuries as minor as muscle cramps, and more seriously and muscle and ligament strains or tears.
Be sure to hydrate with water before, during, and after physical activities. Drinking electrolytes during and after physical activity can help replenish your body and help with soreness and muscle cramps.
Whether it’s contact sports or extreme sports like bike-riding or skateboarding, wear protective equipment like helmets, and knee and elbow pads to avoid injury if you suffer a fall or a collision. If you’ve suffered a previous injury to any part of your body, wear any necessary support like, braces or sleeves, if needed. Always wear appropriate shoes for the activity or sport you’re going to partake in. While this protects your feet from injury, it also helps prevent slipping, falling, or tripping that can lead to soft tissue injuries, and injuries to other parts of your body. As always, if you find yourself outside, protect your skin against UV rays by applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, and apply every hour you are outside in the sun.
No one plans for an injury. Find your neighborhood Methodist ER so you know where to go in a medical emergency. Set up an appointment with an orthopedic or sports medicine doctor if a minor injury persists or doesn’t seem to heal with rest.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.
Stretching after a game, workout, or physical activity is important to help prevent soreness and even a future injury the next time you engage in a sporting event or game.
More importantly, listen to your body. If you’re feeling weak or on the verge of an injury, take a break or stop and recover your body. Knowing your boundaries and limits can help prevent you from injuring yourself.
Do you or a loved one need a sports physical to participate in your summer activities? Find CareNow® urgent care center near you. Urgent cares are open seven days a week, during most holidays and after normal business hours for adults and children three months old and older.
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