Participating in sports is a great way to stay healthy and active, and has all kinds of positive benefits when it comes to social activity as well. However, there are some things to consider when it comes time to decide which sports you and your family are interested in – and a big one is what kinds of injuries happen both long-term and short-term.
If you haven't given this much thought before, take a moment to consider the big deal with football and concussions, the trouble with excessive running, dealing with sprains and strains, the importance of using mouth guards, and getting behind the the concept of smart stretching.
The Big Deal With Football and Concussions
You'll hear a lot in the news, especially recently, about the dangers of playing football as related to concussions. When kids are smaller, the danger isn't all that great, but up into college years, and especially as professionals, people get stronger, faster, and play and practice a lot more. Depending on if you want to approach football as a career or a pastime, do some research about when and how concussions happen, and how to prevent them generally.
The Trouble With Running
One of the things about running is that you can either do it by yourself or with a group. It's great for your heart health, but there are some serious side effects when it comes to leg injuries. Before you decide that marathon training is your next step, thoroughly research the types of injuries that occur with long-distance running, and be extra careful about the types of shoes that you wear for practice and for actual events.
Dealing With Sprains
Over the years, advice about strains and sprains has changed. There are proponents of icing, heating, painkillers, nutritional considerations, and how much you should move or stretch depending on the type of injury. Your best bet if you end up with a severe enough sports injury is to consult a doctor you trust, and avoid random internet advice about what to do.
Mouth Guards Are a Must
For anyone who plays football, basketball, hockey, or wrestling, if you want to keep your teeth all firmly situated in your mouth, it's going to be rather important that you get the right kind of mouth guard. It make take some experimenting to figure out the right size and shape, but better safe than sorry!
Why You Should Use Smart Stretching Techniques
And there's a ton of misinformation out there about stretching. When you should stretch, how you should stretch, and why you should stretch is ultimately going to come down to a personal decision that you make based on your sport and your body; just make sure it's to prevent injury, and overdoing it doesn't injure you worse.
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