Preventing Injuries During Summer Activities

Range of Motion and joint mobility are often overlooked when doing summer activities. Although people might not be having pain or difficulty doing their preferred activities and hobbies, the potential for injury increases when reduced range and tightness exist. That said, it is beneficial to incorporate some stretches into your post activity routine when the muscles are warm from activity.

Here are a couple of stretches that can be done post running, walking, biking, and hiking:

Standing Hamstring Stretch with Step

Setup:

• Begin standing upright with your heel placed in front of you on a step and your hands resting on your hips.
  

Movement:

• Slowly bend forward at your hips until you feel a gentle stretch in the back of your thigh. Hold this position.

Tip:

• Make sure to keep your back straight and maintain a slight bend in your stance leg. Avoid bouncing during the stretch.

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Gastroc Stretch on Wall

Setup:

• Begin in a standing upright position in front of a wall.

Movement:

• Place your hands on the wall and extend one leg straight backward, bending your front leg, until you feel a stretch in the calf of your back leg and hold.

Tip:

•  Make sure to keep your heels on the ground and back knee straight during the stretch.

If you do or are having pain or difficulty doing your favorite summer activities, please don't hesitate to see your PT Plus physical therapist, as we can offer solutions to getting you back to living the life you want to live doing the activities you enjoy most.

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These PT Pro Tips are brought to you by our Slinger Therapist, Dave Conway PT, DPT.

​During the warmer months of the year, Dave enjoys paddle boarding, hiking, camping, swimming, and a desire for most anything new and adventurous, such as attending a week-long survival skills course in southern Missouri.​

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