Play under expert supervision: It is very important to be careful when participating in physical activities like sports. Playing them by implementing the wrong techniques can have harmful effects on your health. Try playing sports under the supervision of experienced players in the beginning and take their advice on how to play the game without getting hurt.
Stretching and warm up exercises: Stretching and warm up exercises are a must in order to prevent cramps and sprains. Stretching prepares the body, brain, and mind for the physical activity involved in the sport. The blood flow increases in the muscle when one stretches and this increases the elasticity of muscles, which prevents muscle injuries
Stay hydrated: It is very important to remain well-hydrated in order to prevent dehydration from affecting the quality of your performance and your health. One must carry sufficient amounts of water if any sport is planned somewhere away from home. Drink water throughout the session in small quantities.
Acclimation: Acclimation is an important factor to be considered while playing in hot and humid conditions. While playing in hot and humid conditions, there is a chance of developing heat-related illnesses, wherein the body struggles to bring down its body temperature. Under such conditions, one must stop the game, drink plenty of water, and try to cool down.
Avoid playing on rainy or stormy days: Playing any kind of sport on a rainy or stormy day is not advisable due to the risk of lightning, while the slippery ground can also result in injuries.
Relax after the game: It is important to cool down after playing any sport. It helps the body to become calm again. The heart rate normalizes and the muscles relax. Cold fluids should be consumed after playing an intense sport. It helps in cooling down the body and also helps in preventing heat-related illnesses. These types of illnesses are serious issues that affect many people, even professional athletes. It causes nausea, unsteadiness, and in certain instances, it can even make a person collapse completely. Prevention is the only way that this kind of situation can be dealt with, so make sure you drink plenty of water and keep your temperature down.
Older people: People who are not used to being very active physically should not indulge in intense sports sessions right away. This will adversely affect their health, especially obese and elderly people. Older people should actually start with small sessions because the body tends to lose its muscle capacity with age. As you well know, any sport that involves physical activity tires the body. Consulting a physician from time to time also helps in remaining updated about one’s body and helps check any adverse effects of the physical activities you may have planned.
By: CARLO JOSEPH A. CASTRO | MAPEH Teacher | ORANI NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
