Our bodies are resilient, strong and are made to move, but unfortunately our bodies are not invincible. There is a lot of risk involved if we use our bodies in the wrong way, and the dangers of exercising with poor technique could lead to injury.
Exercise is so beneficial, and there are many different ways we can get our daily exercise. It’s a way we can improve endurance, muscle strength, flexibility, as well as cardiovascular fitness. It is also a fantastic way to get involved in social groups, as well as improve our emotional and mental well-being.
When exercise is not performed in a proper and safe manner, it can become a problem. Correct posture is a very important factor; poor posture, body imbalance and restrictions can lead to altered biomechanics, which can then lead to injury. Some common injuries can include lower back and neck strains, disc injuries, muscular strains and ligament sprains.
When Working Out, the Most Important Things to Consider Are:
- Keep a straight lower back, without leaning forward or twisting
- Ensure the neck and head are held straight and tall
- Maintain even weight distribution on each side when doing full body exercises
It is also a great idea to seek the advice of a trainer to help you with improving your form and informing you how to correctly exercise.
When it comes to sports, similar principles apply- ensure good posture and control of your body through movement. Also make sure the warm-up is specific to the activity.
Some Important Tips to Reduce the Risk of Injury While Exercising:
- Ensure you have down a good warm up before and a cool down afterwards
- Wear appropriate footwear and supportive gear where required
- When using equipment, ensure you know how to properly use it
- If there is an exercise of activity that is causing pain, stop that exercise and seek advice
If an injury does occur, it is essential that you give your body enough time to heal before returning to sport. Let your tissues heal, and then slowly begin building up strength before you go back to your pre-injury level of activity.
HealthLinks Gippsland is a great place to start for advice on correct ways to exercise. Our practitioners can also assist you in your journey after an injury to get back to exercise.
