Sports are a lot of fun up to and including the aftermath. Many of us, especially as we get older, don’t want the game to end, but only because we know that will be the start of some serious pain.
Sadly, this can keep us from continuing to play. Fortunately, there are techniques, many secretly used by top athletes, to keep the pain from being an issue. If you’re not ready to give up your favourite pastime, give up the pain instead with these secrets.
Compression Socks
Though they have become popular in recent years, many people are still unaware of the benefits of compression socks. They don’t look very helpful, of course. Most wouldn’t even notice an athlete wearing them and others would just think their socks shrunk in the dryer. But the truth is this skin tight footwear hides a medical benefit that can keep your muscles feeling great. That’s because evidence suggests compression socks help increase your aerobic threshold and increase your muscles ability to take in oxygen.
Water
This is the simplest method that people always seem to forget. Most cramps can be linked to a lack of water. Athletes need to drink plenty of it around the clock. Too many athletes wait till they’re in the heat of battle to start refilling their supply. Often that’s too late. Give your body the water it needs in abundance and many of your training aches and pains will disappear.
KT Tape
If you watched the 2012 Summer Olympics, you may have noticed many athletes wearing odd patterns of bright tape right on their skin. Far from a fashion statement, this tape actually provides health benefits to the wearer.This tape, which is completely safe to wear, works by actually lifting the skin and attached tissue off of a sore muscle. When this happens, blood and other fluids have an easier time of flowing in and around the muscle. Blood is incredibly important to all muscles, but especially sore or damaged ones, as it provides oxygen and nutrients. If you don’t want a sore muscle keeping you out of the game, put some KT Tape on it.
Stretch
One more obvious one that bears repeating is stretching. Too many athletes, especially when they’re older, don’t take the time to properly warm up their bodies. They arrive at the court or the pitch and they just start playing. This is never a good idea, but it’s especially bad for adults who often spend the majority of their day in sedentary positions (i.e. sitting in an office chair). It’s a lot to ask of a body to go from sitting eight hours straight to running down a field as fast as possible. Damage is bound to happen. Make sure you ease in to any workout, even if that means showing up early to stretch out and jog a bit.
Although these are all simple ways to continue your love of sports, it’s important to know when to call it quits. If your body is in serious pain, it’s time to see a doctor.
Louisa Jenkins is a keen fitness blogger. She blogs on a number of topics including the benefits of compression hosiery provided by the likes of Daylong to general fitness and exercise routines.
