Sports Medicine: How to Stay in Shape During the Off Season

During the off-season, it’s easy for athletes to lose motivation to stay in shape. It can also be a struggle to keep up with your training routine and healthy eating.

However, the end of a season doesn’t give you permission to slack off. Although you can reduce your training load, it’s still essential to maintain your fitness level.

Here are a few sports medicine physician-approved tips on how you can stay competition-ready all year round.

Know Your Goals

Before the off-season starts, you should meet up with your coaches. Determine what your goals are for this period. These can include:

• Increasing your strength
• Enhancing your endurance
• Improving your speed and agility

With these goals in mind, it’s easier to stay on track for the next season. These will also guide your training regimen during the off-season. These targets can keep your nutrition plan in check, too.

Rest Up

You can also take this time to rest up. Many athletes push themselves too hard in competitions and injure themselves in the process. If this is the case for you, make sure to prioritize recuperating from your injuries.

Depending on your condition, you may still perform light exercises and stretches. However, remember to keep your physical activities to a minimum, especially if you’re still early in your recovery.

Consult with your trusted sports medicine physician about your recovery plan. Then, strictly follow their recommendations. In time, you’ll be sure to regain your strength and mobility. Heeding your doctor’s advice can also help you avoid further injury.

Invite Your Teammates And Friends

Training in-season most likely means spending most of your hours with your teammates. Not having their companionship once the competition ends can be a big change.

To increase your motivation, you can opt to schedule workouts with them. You can also invite other athletes to train with you. By doing so, you help keep each other accountable to your goals. Training with players of the same sport is also a great way to receive feedback.

You can also mix your training regimen up and opt for lighter exercises with your friends and family. Working out with loved ones can help improve your mood on off-days and refresh your mindset. Playing other sports once in a while can be beneficial for you as an athlete, too.

Be Flexible

If you’re not up to doing your scheduled workout plan today, take a break. Don’t force yourself as it can lead to sports injuries or further dampen your motivation. If you decide to take a rest day, make sure that you are ready to get back on track after a day or two.

Also, remember to listen to your body. If you start to feel any pain during your workouts, don’t push yourself. Take a rest and make sure to consult with your sports medicine physician if the aching persists.

Keep In Touch With Your Sports Medicine Doctor

Sports medicine physicians aren’t just here to help you with your injuries. They can also help with improving your function. With their advice on your form and technique, you’re sure to level up your performance.

After the season, it’s highly beneficial to contact your sports medicine doctor. They can best assess how you should spend your off-season. First, they will conduct a physical assessment. The results of this test will help you determine what’s the best training plan that is fitting for your goals and the sports you play. These tailored plans can help you train for strength, endurance, flexibility, agility, and muscle building.

They can also help you maintain healthy nutrition during the off-season, too. Without needing to watch your weight, it can be easy to go off-track with your diet. With the aid of your sports medicine doctor, you can determine the best foods to optimize your health and keep yourself in shape for competition season.

First-Rate Sports Medicine Doctors in St. Peters, O’Fallon, and Wentzville, MO

A sports medicine physician can help you in different aspects of your athletic journey. Injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation are not the only things they focus on. They can also help you maintain your fitness level. Staying in shape is crucial, even when you have no competitions coming up.

Here at Advanced Bone and Joint, our sports medicine physicians are ready to help you stay competition-ready – on-season and off-season. Our comprehensive sports medicine services are patient-centered and tailored to each individual. We cater to a variety of sports injuries, from shoulder instability to Achilles ruptures.

If you want to learn about our sports medicine offerings, call us today at (636) 229-4222. For your convenience, you may also opt to use our online appointment request form. We look forward to being a part of your journey as an athlete!