Nutrition

Athletes reaching the recommended nutrition intake reduced their risk of injury by 64% compared to those that did not meet the recommended nutrition intake. This shows that for athletes to stay healthy and injury-free, a proper diet with adequate nutritional content is crucial. 1

Sleep

Athletes who got an adequate amount of sleep—more than 8 hours during weekdays—reduced their risk of injury by 61%. 1

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Stretching

Stretching is an important part of exercise and provides several benefits for athletes. When included prior to physical activity, it increases range of motion and decreases muscle stiffness. 2

Rest Days

Taking regular breaks allows your body to recover and repair. It’s a critical part of progress, regardless of your fitness level or sport. Otherwise, skipping rest days can lead to overtraining or burnout. 3

Hydration

As an athlete trains or competes, fluid is lost through the skin through sweat and through the lungs while breathing. If this fluid is not replaced at regular intervals during practice or competition, it can lead to dehydration. 4

Massage

Having a post-workout massage will help reduce athletic injuries as it massages the deep tissue, improving your flexibility, and reducing your risk for injuries. 5

15280 Cryo. (2018, October 5). How poor diets increase teens’ injury risk. 5280 Cryo Recovery Clinic. Retrieved April 14, 2023, from https://www.5280cryo.com/doc-talk/teen-injury-risk/

2Stretching for athletes: Parkview Health. Parkview. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2023, from https://www.parkview.com/blog/stretching-for-athletes

3Nunez, K. (2019, August 7). Exercise rest day: Benefits, importance, tips, and more. Healthline. Retrieved April 14, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/rest-day#benefits

4 Perishable. (2022, July 7). Fluids and hydration. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Retrieved April 14, 2023, from https://www.usada.org/athletes/substances/nutrition/fluids-and-hydration/?gclid=CjwKCAjw8-OhBhB5EiwADyoY1S2MiHl6s-6bdDcWiQatGFcFgDxBiyujh7W8cowvtJgy9KznOOrttxoCLmQQAvD_BwE

5Muscolino, J. (2020, July 1). Benefits of post-workout massage. Learn Muscles. Retrieved April 14, 2023, from https://learnmuscles.com/blog/2020/07/01/benefits-of-post-workout-massage/