Summer is here, well, in a few days from now. If you’re a fall athlete, you may find it as a little break when you can go on vacation and enjoy the time with the chaos of running hard and the intricate feat of balancing work and play, though no feeling may compare to when you’re on the field, court, or rink.
However, even if you’re taking a break from sports in the summer doesn’t mean you have to take a break from good health and prepping for the fall. At Precision Spinal Care, serving Chelsea, MI, and the nearby region, we treat athletes through our chiropractic care program and see them on a regular basis. Our Chelsea chiropractor has training in this area and uses this knowledge and her experience to help athletes prevent an injury and improve their game, even on the off season.
So let’s take a few moments to discuss how fall athletes can start preparing for the fall season!
General Information
Though we’re not known for having lengthy heat waves, temperatures are usually in the 80s or higher in July and August. This can make it too hot at times to exercise outdoors if you’re not taking the necessary precautions.
It’s also an excellent time to get your body into better working order, seeing as how you may be less scheduled.
Hydration
One of the main factors to consider when exercising over the summer when it’s hot outside is to get adequate hydration. While you’ve probably heard the “eight glasses of water per day” recommendation more than a time or two, this is a general rule.
Some people may need more water, and some are fine with less. As you’re determining how much water you need, factor in your gender, weight, and activity level. All of these can alter how much water you need.
Since it’s not static across the board, we recommend you take a few sips before you exercise, sip sporadically throughout your exercise, and have a few more once you’re done. The worst way to stay hydrated is to chug a large quality of water before or after your workout. Not only will
it cause you to not feel well, but it can throw off your electrolyte balance and cause a potentially life-threatening condition known as hyponatremia — a sodium-to-water imbalance that causes your cells to swell.
Choose You Time Carefully
You also want to choose the time you exercise carefully. Opt for early in the morning or later in the evening. These are times when the sun isn’t high in the sky, and as a result, isn’t as hot.
Listen to Your Body
Getting physical activity in the summer also entails listening to your body. If you feel thirsty, break for a drink. If you’re very out of breath because of the humidity, take a rest or slow down. You may even need to make some time to sit in the air conditioning for a few.
Though this isn’t necessarily just for summer, make sure you’re listening to your body when you’re feeling pain. That’s your body’s warning sign. A little bit may be helpful in muscle building, but that isn’t the case when you’re in more than just a little pain.
Seek Out Chiropractic Care
As a sports chiropractor in Chelsea, we strongly recommend this one. A body that’s not properly in line and flexible is more susceptible to injury. We can use chiropractic adjustments to ensure your spine and nervous system are in tip-top shape for when it’s time to return to sports.
Part of our chiropractic care also includes stretches that help with function and flexion — two vital components to an athlete.
Our care will also include tips on how to keep active over the summer and work on improving your game, as well as hints you can use on the court, field, or rink.
Just because your season is over doesn’t mean you should just let your body go. Over the summer, you can take vital steps to improve your game and keep in shape, such as seeing a Chelsea sports chiropractor and exercising in the healthiest way for your body.
If you’re ready to start your summer training, give us a call at 734-433-9564, or use our online form. We’re helping athletes one spine at a time, one knee at a time, or whatever body part you need help with over the summer at a time!
