Science & Outdoors
Slow and easy is the way to go when exercising after a long, lazy winter
The Pointer
bhaig870@uwsp.edu
After months of freezing and near-freezing temperatures, when the first warm day hits, most students are ready to get outside for a hike, jog or bike ride. But if you’ve been a couch potato all winter long, you may need to start spring exercise slowly to prevent injuries, say University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point fitness experts.
“A common misconception made by the average person is that you don’t need to be active daily. A lot of people are known as weekend warriors, where they are only active during the weekends,” said UW-SP employee wellness associate, Michael Babbitts.
It’s more healthy to be active on a daily basis or at least five times a week for 30 minutes a day than to work your body to exhaustion one or two days a week said Babbitts.
If one does overdo it, RICE, Rest, Ice, Compression (with an elastic bandage) and Elevation, will usually help lessen the damage, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. In all but very mild cases, a doctor should evaluate the injury and establish a treatment and rehabilitation plan, if necessary.
There’s a lesson here: After one prepares their body for spring sports, they can spend the warm weather months healthy and active and not let it all go to waste by hibernating next winter. Staying strong for the next warm weather sports season will prevent one from having to start an exercise program all over again.
Staying physically active is very important to maintain good health.
“Try varying your activities throughout the week so you’re not always doing the same thing because people tend to get bored easily,” said Neale Hall health advocate, Josh Fast.
Proper workout gear, especially shoes with good support, play a role in preventing injuries. Choose a shoe that’s specially designed for the exercise performed most often.
Besides stretching, flexibility, and good shoes, what’s put in your body also has a direct impact on what one can get out of it.
