Tips from those in the know on how to exercise to reduce injury.
The benefits of physical activity and exercise far outweigh the risks of injury; however, according to the Accident Compensation Corporation, there were nearly 40,000 new claims for fitness training and gym related injuries in 2013 in New Zealand. This is 9 per cent of all sports claims.
Further to this, 37 per cent of injuries to middle-aged women are loss of balance or personal control related, most often associated with gym classes such as aerobics, yoga, Pilates and boxing.
While not all injuries can be prevented, there are some basic steps you can take to ensure your exercise programme is not interrupted unnecessarily from injury. The New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals suggests the following tips for making your exercise regimen a safer one.
Warm up and recovery
Warming up prior to exercising means you are prepared both mentally and physically by increasing the blood flow to muscles, increasing the overall body temperature and making us more alert.
Taking the time to prepare your body by warming up with the likes of mobility exercises will also improve performance during the exercise session. It’s well worth the short time needed.
Adhering to prescribed exercise
Through regular exercise, we become more in tune with what our body is capable of, and see the results of our investment in our health. However, nothing can replace the training and experience of an exercise professional when it comes to making sure the correct amount, and the right type of exercise is prescribed.
By getting the correct exercise advice, and following it, you can ensure that you do not attempt exercises that are inappropriate for your exercise level, or train at an intensity or volume that does not take into account your current health profile.
Using correct technique
It doesn’t matter how well an exercise session is planned, if exercise technique is not correct then not only will injury be risked, but also results may be slowed. Even if you are not regularly working with an exercise professional, get a check in on your technique to keep yourself on track and injury-free.
