With the sun now shining, are you thinking of starting a new sport or restarting an old favourite? This is a great idea, but before you put on your running shorts and charge out of the door keep the following in mind.
If you haven’t done this before, or if you’ve been laid off for a long time, your body probably won’t be ready to perform in the way you hope. As well as needing to improve your cardiovascular health, you’ll need to think about the following things:
- your muscle conditioning
- the resilience of your tendons andÂ
- the health of your joints.Â
These are all vulnerable to unwelcome injury that could put pay to your laudable ambitions to get fit and feel great. Let’s explore a few basics to help you prepare for sustained success in your chosen sport.
Muscle conditioning
Appropriate strength and conditioning exercises support athletes to even out any muscular imbalances, enhance mobility, align posture and stabilise joints.
Regular conditioning exercises also improve the strength and flexibility of connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons.
Joint mobilisation
Joint mobility is a foundation of top athletic performance. There is a complex relationship between joint function and efficient movement. Traditional stretching routines are great, but an understanding of biomechanics shows us that focusing on joint mobility exercises is good practice for enhancing performance and preventing injury.
Joint mobility exercises involve active control throughout a joint’s range of motion. This is different from passive stretching and requires balanced muscular engagement and proprioceptive awareness.
Why book a Body MOT?
A smart first step on your road to increased fitness and better mobility is to book with us for an initial consultation. Our experienced practitioners can give you a Body MOT – assessing your current capacity and any vulnerabilities. If you’re worried about an old injury, a thorough examination will help to put your mind at rest or put in progress a tailored exercise plan.
Your expert practitioner will support you to mobilise your joints effectively, taking into account your unique needs and the demands of your chosen sport. He or she will also advise on how best to prepare your muscles for new activity in a way that means you can keep enjoying a pain-free life.
During your Body MOT you will receive specific guidance on how to start new activity – and how to continue to ensure long-term success.
Book your Body MOT now
Our team can help you get started on a more active life, supporting you to avoid injury and sustain a new level of fitness and enjoyment of life. It couldn’t be easier to book your appointment with Osteo & Physio! Book a session via our app, website or call our friendly reception team on 0345 5577788.
