CLEVELAND, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Whether your goal is to conquer a new hobby or go for Olympic gold, there are ways to protect the spine from injury, U.S. physicians say.
"Getting active outside during winter is an excellent way to exercise and help those cold months pass by faster," Dr. Lincoln Likness, a member of the North American Spine Society and Cleveland Clinic Center, says in a statement. "While year round exercise is recommended for overall spine health, winter sporting activities come with some degree of injury risk."
Downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice hockey and speed skating involve high speeds, obstacles and a high risk of injury, the physician says.
Officials at the North American Spine Society say ensuring the health of the spine makes the winter sporting season painless and enjoyable. They suggest:
-- Always keep your head up and be aware of your surroundings while participating in sporting activities.
-- Focus your off-season and in-season preparation on your core: spine, abdominal, gluteal, and upper leg muscles. A strong and balanced core supports optimal body mechanics, balance and stability.
-- Consider getting sport-specific training when taking on any new sporting challenge.
-- Always remember to perform warmup and cool down exercises before any sporting activity.
-- If you sustain a fall, high velocity injury, or experience severe pain or motor-sensory deficits, be evaluated by a spine physician promptly.
