Injury Prevention

Warm-up exercises before recreational activities (running, golf, etc.) can reduce your chance of injury. Try slow walking, jogging in place, riding an exercise bicycle, or jumping rope. Stretch afterwards when your muscles are warm and flexible.

Wear properly fitting shoes that provide shock absorption and stability. Every foot is built differently, and every sport has different needs. Make sure your shoe fits both. Talk to a professional if you are unsure what to look for.

Avoid dehydration by drinking water before, during, and after a workout. Sports drinks such as Gatorade are alright, but stay away from caffeinated beverages like coffee and soda.

If you have been injured before, it may be helpful to wrap the area to provide extra support.

Be sure not to do too much at once; instead, increase your workouts gradually. No one rolls out of bed in the morning and decides to run a marathon if the last time they went jogging was over a year ago.

If you are using any type of exercise equipment, make sure you are using it correctly. If you aren't sure how to do something, ask a trainer or professional to show you.

Try alternating your exercises. Don't work the same muscles day after day. If you are sore after every workout, then you are not giving your body adequate time to recover.

If you have problems with your joints, concentrate on low-impact activities such as swimming or cycling instead of high-impact activities like running.