CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Many people don't grasp the concept that you need to be in good physical shape to have fun and stay injury-free.
Exercise and recreational activity injuries are the number one reason why Airmen get hurt off-duty. You have heard it time and time before that people are our most valuable asset. A way to protect this valuable asset is by getting involved in a constructive exercise program. When you're out there doing your PT and having fun, you're also building up your body to fight against injuries that could really slow you down or put you out of commission.
During this time of the year, at the first hint of warm weather, millions of people, including a lot of our Airmen, head to the great outdoors for much needed rest and relaxation - not only to reinvigorate, but to do lawn work or that old tradition of spring cleaning. Far from everyone's mind is their everyday exercise routine and how it plays a part in such activities.
To help prepare us, our everyday routines should focus on total fitness, which involves cardiovascular fitness, strength and resistance training, flexibility, body composition, and proper nutrition and hydration.
Cardiovascular exercise builds the endurance we need to enjoy activities, such as swimming, biking and hiking, on a regular basis, and it keeps you in good shape, so you won't be hurt by these activities. Plus, it keeps the exhaustion to a minimum once completed.
Strength and resistance training helps us in yard work, moving stuff around in the house, golfing, water skiing and playing softball. Strength training not only builds and strengthens muscles, but it strengthens our bones as well. Our bones are the framework that holds us together. Through resistance training, we can build our muscular endurance up and prevent back and leg injuries. That one day of yard work can lead to us being sore for a week! With proper strength and resistance training, we can keep soreness to a minimum.
Flexibility training can help us in all activities. Good flexibility leads to improved joint health and more elasticity in our skeletal muscles. Also, this will allow us to stretch, be loose and warmed up, so we are less likely to strain or pull a muscle.
Body composition, nutrition and hydration are probably the most important elements in a constructive exercise routine. We get energy from proper foods we eat and hydration from water we consume. Long, hot days outdoors require us to eat nutritious foods and stay hydrated. One of the most documented outdoor health risks is dehydration.
Also, heat stroke and heat exhaustion can not only sideline us for a while, it can kill us. A good, proper diet can keep us exercising and regenerating on a daily and weekly basis. It also will allow us to look good on the beach!
Following proper exercise guidelines are a key to enjoying life. Recreational activities are meant for us to have fun and blow off steam - not to be injured, paralyzed or killed. Make fitness one of your occupational risk management steps, so you can live tell about your summer of 2009 in Charleston.