If you are into sports or if you play any type of sports at the professional level, you will know that injuries are a common thing in the life of a sportsperson. There may be various types of injuries that may happen to you. However, if you suffer from foot or ankle injuries, you may have to take a long break from playing games. Foot and ankle injuries may happen to any person who plays any type of sports such as tennis, soccer, and running. However, with a little bit of care and caution, you can easily reduce the risks of injuring your foot or ankle.
Useful Tips to Prevent Foot and Ankle Injuries
Foot or ankle injuries may result in taking a long break from sports or premature retirement from the sport you excel in. However, there are several tips that can easily help you prevent or even reduce the possibilities of such types of physical injuries. Some of these tips have been discussed below for your benefit.
- Proper Warmup: Whether you are about to play a game of tennis or soccer, it is very important that you do a proper warmup. Light stretching or mild jogging will be enough to help your body warm up properly before participating in any sporting event. Warmup helps to make the muscles softer so that these can easily be stretched without injuring them. However, do not make the mistake of forcing any type of stretching exercise as it can cause more serious injuries.
- Properly Condition Your Body Muscles for The Sport: This is rather important to help our muscles get used to a sporting event for a long period of time. You may start off by increasing the time that you spend on the activity gradually over a period of some weeks. This will help to build both muscle mobility and strength. Cross-training by simply participating in various types of activities can also help build your muscles.
- Choose the Right Pair of Shoes: There are various types of sporting shoes available in the market that are suitable for different types of feet. If your feet have low arches or if they pronate, then you should opt for those shoes that provide proper support in two primary sections, under the arch and the front of the shoes. It is important for the heel counter and the heel to be extremely stable. If your feet are stiff or if you have high arches, then you will require shoes that have more cushion, as well as a softer platform.
- Avoid Stepping on Uneven Surfaces: Although this is not within your control all the time, it is still advisable to try and avoid stepping or running on uneven grounds. You need to be extra careful while running on hills with loose gravel or rocky terrain. Always try and choose a good surface to run. If you are going to run on a specific type of surface, better practice on a similar surface to avoid any possible injuries.
