How Adults Can Keep Safe During Team Sports
Not all adults like to stay on the sidelines for sporting events. Team sports is a great way to connect with your friends and fellow employees. However, the older we get, the more prone we are to injuries that go beyond scraped knees and bruises.
Here’s how you can protect yourself when playing out in the field as an adult.
Be sure to warm up
Even if it’s not an official game, you should always warm up. It doesn’t matter if you’ve gone to the basketball court for a quick game of pickup or out on the soccer field for a real competition. Warming up helps get the blood flowing to your muscles and loosens them up. By doing this simple step for 5 to 10 minutes before you play, you’ll help prevent injuries from occurring.
Keep up with your hydration
This is a common one, especially as we head into cooler months. Running around playing team sports outside is invigorating in the chill of the air. But don’t mistake that refreshing cool for full refreshment. Water is essential to help you stay hydrated. You are just as prone to heat stroke as you are in the hotter months so keep a supply of water on hand and be sure to drink it throughout the game.
Get outfitted properly
There’s a reason pro athletes wear the right equipment for their sports. It’s easy to get injured. If you’re playing soccer, invest in shin guards to protect your legs. Wear helmets, mouth guards, goggles, and anything else that’s required or else you could wind up with an injury that will take you out of the game for the rest of the season.
Take a rest
It’s easier to pull something now as an adult, so if you feel pain in one of your muscles, sit it out. You’ll only make things worse by pushing yourself.
Get massages before and after
You might think of getting a massage after your game, and that’s always a good idea. However, massages before the game can help too. Massages loosen up muscles and help them repair. So having one before and after your team sports games can really go a long way to keeping your muscles healthy and preventing injuries from occurring.
When you want to play team sports as an adult, don’t forget to train well at the gym or at home. We offer in-home services for personal training to help you stay on top of your game. We also have in-home massage therapy that can come to you before or after your games (or both) to ensure your muscles are ready to play along when you’re ready!
