Regular exercise also improves your body image and increases your energy level. It helps control weight and reduces stress.
If you are an athlete engaged in a competitive sport, or if you are a fitness enthusiast participating in a regular exercise program, you are familiar with the many benefits of regular physical activity. If you do not participate in a sport or fitness program, the following suggestions will help you choose and begin the right program for you. Exercise comes in many forms-everyone should be able to find some activity enjoyable.
Injuries Prevention
To prevent injuries it is necessary to have information about the factors that contribute to their occurrence. With this information we may understand the options for prevention. Effective injury prevention requires a multifaceted, multidisciplinary approach. Up to 50 percent of youth sports injuries are preventable, and parents and coaches can reduce injuries in young athletes by 80 percent if they follow some simple tips:
- Warm up. Before you begin the physical workout, warm-up your muscles for 10 minutes with light exercise.
- Don’t overdo it. Overexertion is the primary cause of injuries in adolescents.
- Try variety. Your child shouldn’t focus on just one sport. They need to develop strength everywhere.
- Pump iron later. Hold off on weight training until it’s appropriate. Children can’t develop strength with weights until puberty and they need to be supervised when they do start using weights.
- Build stronger girls. Because they lack testosterone, girls are more susceptible to injury. Because of that, girls need to focus on strength-training more than boys.
- Focus on fitness. Fitness training should be included in all practices.
- Listen to pain. Young athletes should not be encouraged to push through pain.
Even with proper conditioning, equipment and other precautions you may still develop pain from exercise. If so, what you do immediately can prevent the pain from becoming a chronic problem. At the first sign of pain stop or ease back on your sport immediately. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day and elevate the injured area.
If you still have pain after two or three days, you should see your physician.
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