While chiropractic may be beneficial to the average person with an active lifestyle, it’s practically essential for athletes who are required to perform at maximum capacity. Athletes need speed, stamina, and coordination to excel at their sport. Offseason preparation is an important part of maintaining such a high level of performance, and chiropractic can be integral to this process.
But it’s not always about the chiropractic adjustments and therapies themselves. Chiropractors look at health and wellness through a holistic lens, meaning that everything is interconnected, part of a greater whole. A lot of the heavy lifting comes in the small decisions and lifestyle choices that an athlete makes in their daily lives. Read on for a few tips to help keep yourself in shape during the offseason.
- Stay Active. Staying active is one of the best things an athlete can do during their offseason. Even if they may not be actively training for a sporting event, it’s good to keep the body in shape for when they return next season. Otherwise, a sudden spike in strenuous physical activity will be very hard on the body.
- Cross-Train. Speaking of physical activity, use this time to get some cross-training in and exercise in ways that you may not be able to during the regular season. Workout different muscle groups to prevent overuse and injury, and incorporate plenty of cardio into your routine.
- Maintain Flexibility. Muscles tend to contract and shorten with disuse. This may lead to strain or injury if left unaddressed. To avoid any unfortunate accidents in the upcoming season, stretch to keep your muscles engaged and maintain peak flexibility.
- Hydration & Nutrition. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is an important part of keeping your body fueled for optimal performance. Not only that, but you should be drinking plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated throughout your days. Be sure to get accurate hydration facts to maximize your potential and maintain overall health.
- Mental Health. As a holistic practice, chiropractors recognize the direct correlation between an athlete’s mental health and their physical performance. Relaxation and mindfulness techniques will not only improve your mental wellbeing, but they can help you release any stress trapped in your body.
- Quality Rest & Recovery. It’s absolutely essential that you give your body plenty of time to recover after intense training. The same should be done in the offseason. The body restores energy and repairs muscular tissue during sleep, so make sure you are getting a good night’s rest. A supportive mattress and a dark environment will do wonders for the quality of your sleep, allowing you to wake up feeling refreshed.
Ask your chiropractor for more tips on how to maximize performance and take care of your body as an athlete. Seeking a place to call home? We invite you to schedule a consultation with us here at Wirth Chiropractic. As a proud sponsor of the East Carolina University athletics program, we’re always looking to help student athletes maximize their natural abilities and stay in shape. Contact us today to get started!
