Are Weekend Warrior Injuries Hurting You?

Are Weekend Warrior Injuries Hurting You?

Now that spring is in full fling in NYC, the warmer weather is quickly approaching and calendars are filling up with recreational weekend activities. For most of us, the normal work week consists of mainly indoor activities and minimal physical exertion, unless you consider sprinting to catch the train an Olympic sport. Nonetheless, trying to squeeze in physical activities and recreational sports on the weekends can cause more injuries than you may think.

Weekend warrior injuries are very common in the spring and summer when the weather is warm and inviting. Weekend warriors are people who partake in physically tasking activities on the weekends but may not be in the best shape physically due to lack of training and exercise during the week. The population of weekend warriors is large, but the majority are males between the ages of 30-50 years old. Weekend obstacle courses such as Tough Mudder and Spartan Race are among these “weekend warrior activities” and have become increasing popular. For individuals whose bodies are not prepared for such vigorous activities, strenuous activities can do more harm than good.

The most common weekend warrior injuries are muscle strains (hamstrings), ligament sprains, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, low back pain and shoulder injuries. The majority of weekend warrior injuries can be treated with physical therapy, including manual therapies, icing and rest. The optimal way to deal with weekend warrior injuries is to avoid them!

So, how do you avoid becoming a victim to a weekend warrior injury? It is understandable that during the week you don’t have enough time to run a race but that doesn’t mean you can expect your body to go full-force on the weekends without any preparation. Prevention of weekend warrior injuries means trying to stay active at least a couple days during the week. You can achieve this by starting a yoga or kickboxing class with a friend, going for a bike ride after work or just working out at home. Most importantly, performing a proper warm up before participation in any sport will help reduce the incident of injury. Easy morning stretches can easily be added to your routine and can help you avoid a weekend of pain.

If you are signed up for an extremely physical event this summer, it is best to start preparing for it now. Work with an exercise coach or physical therapist that can help you get your body ready and avoid weekend warrior injuries completely. If you find yourself with a weekend warrior injury and need treatment, Sarrica Physical Therapy & Wellness in Brooklyn & Manhattan is prepared to help you get better now. Call us at 347-560-6920 today!