Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Use Balance And Proprioception Training To Prevent Injuries

Proprioception training was developed for use in physical rehabilitation, to help patients regain their balance after an injury. However, many sports enthusiasts have also found it to be beneficial in preventing injuries they might suffer while playing.There are many ways to practice this type of training. When you engage in any athletic activity--whether it be dancing, snowboarding or even walking or running--you need to follow some sort of pre- and post-workout stretch routine and/or perform some other low-impact exercise to avoid injury. Here's incorporate proprioception training into your chosen activity.


Instructions


1. Make yourself more aware of your body’s movements when training. This consciousness, and the attendant need to try and improve your movement, is an element of proprioception.








2. Start with an easy exercise that helps promote this awareness. Stand on one foot, then reach forward and touch the floor in front of you and stand up again. Do this several times as your pre- or post-workout exercise regimen.








3. Work with a partner. Play catch with a medicine ball while balancing on one foot.


4. Balance on one foot for five minutes and then on the other foot for another five minutes.


5. Use balance pads when jogging, running or practicing your sport. These come in different densities and softness, and they improve your balance.


6. Add balance exercises to your weight-training exercises. Incorporate some weightlifting exercises you can do while standing on one foot or the other.


7. Take up yoga. Many of the exercises in yoga have to do with finding both your inner and outer balance.

Tags: five minutes, improve your, pre- post-workout