As the weather turns warmer and the snow melts, our opportunity to participate in games and sports increases.  Sports are a great way to be active and participation in leagues helps to make activity a more regular part of your weekly routine.  However along with the opportunity to play can come the opportunity for injuries, especially overuse injuries.  In order to get the most enjoyment out of your springtime activity, you need to take a few steps to get your body up to speed with your enthusiasm.

Here are a few suggestions to help you with the transition from a sedentary winter to an active spring!

• Build up to weekend physical activity throughout the week. This can be as simple as choosing the stairs instead of the elevator, parking your car a bit further from you destination and walking, or taking 15 or 20 minutes to walk or run on your lunch hour.
• Warm up, warm up, warm up! Combine exercises such as slow jogging, knee lifts, arm circles or trunk rotations with mild stretches for at least five minutes prior to any sports competition.
• Compete with someone of similar ability, at least for the first couple of days. If you compete with someone more challenging, don't over-exert yourself.
• Don't eat heavily before you compete. Stay away from fatty foods and salt. The hot weather can absorb potassium and cause cramping.
• Drink plenty of water leading up to the event, as well as throughout the day of the event.  If you fee you are pushing yourself too hard, slow down.  Over-exerting yourself the first time out is a very common cause of injury.  In addition to allowing for plenty of time to warm up, spend a few minutes stretching as a way to cool down.  This can include slow walking, low-level exercise and stretching.
• If you exercise outdoors, watch for changes in the weather and dress appropriately.

*** These suggestions are from the Michigan Chiropractic Council (MCC)

If you have any questions about activity in your lifestyle, please feel free to contact the Exercise staff: HOUSE OF WELLNESS (355-1251)—Kori Keene, Exercise/Recreation Mngr. x5595, or Chris Frederick, Exercise Physiologist x5611. HEALTH CARE CENTER, BRF(715-284-9851)—Linda Lowery, Exercise Physiologist x5343.