The Off-Season: Time to Recover, Refresh & Rehabilitate
As sports seasons wind up, we are often faced with a few idle months before pre-season training restarts. It is important in that time that we allow ourselves to have a break, not just physically, but mentally as well. These are known as planned breaks and are good opportunities for us to reset and recuperate.
It is important to understand that taking time off from sport does not mean weight gain, loss of fitness and poor performance next season. It is important to maintain some level of exercise through the off season to maintain a good level of general fitness and prevent injury when returning to the field, court or pitch. This exercise can be as structured or as unstructured as you like, and may include a light jog, a hike or moderately paced walk with the family, or a swim down at the local pool.
Your break should also include regular sleep as well as taking time to unwind and relax with family and friends. Some people find that the offseason and the Christmas period is good time to take a well-earned family holiday or go travelling.
It is important to remember that these breaks also allow us time away to rehabilitate injuries we may have sustained during the season or address those niggles that caught up with us in the last few games. The team at Enhance Physiotherapy can help you recover from those end of season aches and pains, and help you get back to your best by the time the season starts again.
The most important thing to remember, is that a good off season, regardless of whether you need to recover, rehabilitate or simply rest, should allow you to return to whatever sport you play refreshed, happy, and ready to start a new season.
