It’s important for seniors to remain active and exercise, but there are some precautions to consider.
Horizon Rehab is committed to helping you recover from injuries with dedicated rehabilitation services. But, there are steps you can take to help reduce your injuries while exercising. As we age, taking steps to avoid injury while exercising becomes more important, because the injuries can cause more damage and require more effort to recover properly.
Today is National Senior Fitness Day, and Horizon Rehab wants to make sure you have all the tools you need to avoid injury so you can remain active as long as possible.
Avoiding Injury Tip: Start Slow
No matter how old you are, it’s important to remember not to try and do too much, too fast as you exercise. You’ve likely had the feeling of extreme soreness that comes with trying to lift as much weight as you can after an extended period of inactivity. This is never a good approach for exercising, but working out this way can become more dangerous as you age. Instead, start with manageable exercises to create a strong base to build on as you get stronger.
Avoiding Injury Tip: Mix it Up
We’ve all seen the strength competitions on television where competitors have arms the that seem to be the same size as tree trunks. Those results aren’t typical and shouldn’t be something you strive for as you age. Instead, it’s important to mix up your workouts. Focusing on different muscle groups each workout not only helps you increase your overall fitness, but also reduces the risk of injury. When you focus on one muscle group and work those muscles repeatedly, you will tire that muscle out and increase your risk for pulling, straining or even tearing the muscle.
If you sustain an injury while exercising, competing in a sport or in any other capacity, Horizon Rehab can help you. Contact us to learn more about or our orthopedic and sports rehabilitation services.
Tags: exercise safety tips, senior citizen fitness