Whether you started skating recently or have been doing it all your life, one thing is constant; the older you get, the slower you get. You can’t defy science on this one. There are heaps of studies out there that all point to one conclusion, it’s going to happen and the first muscles to go as you age are you fast-twitch muscles. This is probably why you’ve seen the emergence in popularity of marathons, triathlons, and other endurance type events in recent years. To add fuel to the fire, you probably noticed that you seem to get injured a lot more than you used to in your prime. These injuries seem like they take forever to heal and are a real nuisance. So, what is an aging athlete to do? Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to be proactive and stay ahead of the inevitable decay of your body. Keep in mind, we’re not medical professionals. We’ve just picked up a bunch of trade tricks over the years that we want to share.
Stretch
We’re not talking about your old pre-game stretching that you were forced to do in high-school before hockey or football practice. We’re talking about methodical stretching. Whether you realize it or not, your muscles carry some of the same characteristics of plastic. As plastic gets colder, it loses its malleability and becomes weaker overall. Rather than stretch when stressed, it just cracks and breaks. Your muscles function similarly. Just going into locker room stretching cold, is not nearly as beneficial as what you can get from a slow lap around the rink or jog around the building and then moving into your stretching exercises. In any case, do not skip stretching.
Exercise
Pretty simple right? Lift weights, run, etc. and your body will thank you later. Stronger muscles, reduced joint stress, it’s true, but I suggest going a step further and looking into exercise routines that keep your entire body limber and toned like yoga. Not only does yoga work out parts of your body typically missed in weight lifting and running, but it focuses exercises on movement and mobility. Added bonus: Once you figure it out, you can do it in your living room in your spare time.
Use Common Sense
This one is pretty obvious right? Well, have you ever gone out and played while you knew something was wrong with your knee or wrist? Yeah, we all have. If your feeling pain that feels like more than weak muscles healing themselves, take some time off and get checked out by a doctor.
There is no question that injuries in older athletes are far more frequent and that they take longer to heal. That doesn’t mean you should keep yourself from playing hockey. Most sports injuries can be prevented or treated with correct preparation, training, and by exercising common sense. Know your body, take your time, and do it right so you can keep skating for a long time.