Netball, Rugby League, Trail Running, Australian Rules, Soccer . . . Whatever your chosen winter sport is, it is time to make sure you are fit for the field. If you carry any untreated injuries from your summer activities and plan to get straight into it, you should think twice about that!
Start the season with your best body. If you are carrying an injury, you risk compounding the problem, thereby limiting your time in the game, and increasing recovery time.
Let’s look at a simple “cork” of the quads. Can you weight-bear on that leg and walk easily with no pain? Can you perform a pain-free squat? Can you run with no pain? Can you side-step? Are you able to complete the movements required on the field? You need to be able to answer ‘YES’ to all these questions, and this may take a few days or even longer.
These days, most clubs involved in any contact sports will have an accredited Sports Trainer, Soft Tissue (Remedial Massage) Therapist or Physiotherapist qualified (in varying degrees) to advise, assess, or even treat most common sporting injuries. It is vital for your continued sporting fitness and general ability to seek professional advice on the best treatment for your issue for more complicated injuries.
In the early part of the winter sporting season, we see many clients who have been carrying an injury or have failed to rehabilitate an injury and are now struggling to cope with the rigours of their chosen activity. Some of you trail runners are also very guilty of this . . . . “Oh, it’s just a mild ankle sprain!” then one month later, there are calf issues or even worse, knee issues! Then you may not be able to compete at the national titles.
A flat tyre is flat on the bottom, but there is also no air anywhere else, and it will not fix itself.
Be proactive, and your sporting enjoyment will last much longer.
