Are you a Weekend Athlete? Here’s How to Lessen Sports Injuries

Who says that just because you have grown older that you cannot engage in contact sports? You can still relive your glory days, although you must take more precautionary measures to reduce the risks of sports injuries to your older body.

Otherwise, you may become part of the statistics that say more than 18,000 men under the 40-55 age cohort have been to the emergency rooms for injuries caused by their involvement in basketball, baseball and golf games. Here are a few practical tips that you should remember as a weekend athlete, but it must also be emphasized that you should always seek prompt medical attention for your sports-related injuries. For sports medicine, visit any of the Healthpointe clinics, such as the one in Garden Grove near Stanton, Santa Ana, and Westminster.

First, prepare your mind and body during the weekdays for the competitive sports activities that you will be doing on the weekends. You can think of it as a five-day warm-up for the weekend, such as:

• Practice the most common movement in the weekend game you prefer. For example, you can practice your swing – with or without the club – while on your noon-time break or coffee break, perhaps even after waking up in the morning and before going to bed.
• Raise your cardiovascular endurance level gradually during the weekdays. For example, you can exercise 5 more minutes each day. By the time the weekend comes, your body is more prepared for the new stresses you are putting on it.
• Do your research about the ways to perform the movements for maximum results and minimum injuries. The Internet can be your friend in this regard.

Second, you have to set limits for yourself. You have to acknowledge that your body is not as strong, agile, and lithe as it was in your younger years.

You should be ready to pull back as soon as your body tells you that it has had enough, which means that you have to listen to your body. Your body is designed to take gradual increases in physical activity, a fact that even pro athletes know.

You have to respect your body’s abilities and limitations.

Come to any of the Healthpointe clinics, such as the one in Irwindale near Duarte, Azusa, West Covina, Vincent, and Mayflower Village for sports medicine.

About Healthpointe:

Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including Garden Grove, which is conveniently located by Stanton, Santa Ana, and Westminster. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit Healthpointe.net.