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Top Causes Of Injuries During Exercise

Easy Ways To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout

by Janet Smith, PEERtrainer Health and Fitness Writer


It’s no secret that regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind.  While it’s beneficial to exercise frequently, your body can get overworked and be susceptible to injuries.  What can you do to protect yourself?  We’ve put together a list of the most common causes of injury during exercise and easy ways to prevent them. 

Wearing Incorrect Footwear.  If you’re doing high impact aerobics such as running or jogging, wearing the appropriate shoes is one of the most important things you can do to prevent injuries to your feet and legs.  Get measured to make sure you are choosing the correct size shoe.  Also make sure the shoes you choose provide plenty of arch and bottom support.  Failing to wear properly fitting shoes with poor support can lead to shin splints, ankle sprains, blisters and just plain aching feet.   

Wearing Inappropriate Jewelry and Clothing.  Whether the activity is aerobics or strength training, make sure to remove any jewelry that might inhibit or put undue pressure as you’re moving.  If your finger swells from an injury and you are wearing rings, may have to have it cut off.  You also want to make sure your clothing fits loosely so you have full range of motion. 

Not Warming Up. Sprains and strains are often caused by improperly warming up the muscles and joints prior to activity.  Without proper warm-up you can easily over-stretch a muscle or ligament.  

Poor Training.
  With any activity you must be sure to use proper form and technique.  Without following proper form, especially during strength training, you can severely injure muscles, ligaments and tendons.  Make sure you understand exactly how each movement should be performed.

Overuse.  Doing the same exercises day after day can place undue stress on muscles your muscles and joints.  There are several common injuries caused by over use.  Stress fractures, shin splints, golfers elbow and tennis elbow are all common injuries that can be a result of overuse.

Use a bit of common sense.  If your body feels overworked and is begging to stop,  listen and give your body a rest.   Using a bit of common sense and following these few simple suggestions will go along way to preventing injury.

Next: Real Life Examples Of Why You Need To Follow These 5 Tips

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