Exercising in the new normal and how to keep safe
by Emma Hammett | Apr 12, 2021 | First Aid Advice, Uncategorized | 0 comments
Gyms are now open again, which is great news for our physical and mental health. Many people have been regularly exercising at home throughout lockdown and may choose to continue doing this. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in runners experiencing hip and knee problems when they have been over-exerting themselves whilst exercising.
Accidents and injuries can happen when exercising. Sports professionals and personal trainers are used to guide you to maximise your exercise potential, whilst minimising your risks. When choosing a personal trainer or booking into a gym or fitness class, ensure your instructor is fully insured and has received recent and appropriate first aid training.
It is really important to recognise quickly if you have experienced an injury. You should stop and give yourself time to rest and recover.
Click here for an online First Aid for Sports course
If you are running or exercising on a hot day and you begin to feel sick, get a headache or cramps, feel dizzy and sweaty; you may be suffering from heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is serious, so it is important that you get help as soon as possible. If you are training, lie down in a shady spot with your legs raised, take regular sips of a sports drink and ideally call someone to come and be with you and get medical advice.
If you are on a long run and develop heat exhaustion symptoms, listen to your body and rest for a while.
Breaks, sprains and dislocations are common injuries to occur when exercising. It’s important to not continue to weight-bear on an injured ankle. Listen to your body and seek help. Rest and apply a supportive bandage and a wrapped ice pack. If symptoms get worse, or don’t improve, seek medical advice. It may be possible you have broken a bone, you will need an x-ray to confirm this.
First Aid for Life specialise in first aid for the fitness industry. Our fully regulated and tailored EFAW courses are ideal for Personal Trainers, other fitness professionals or those wanting to simply continue on safely with their new lockdown hobby. Our Sports EFAW courses cover heart attacks, head and spinal injuries, asthma and other sports-related topics not included within the standard EFAW syllabus.
The training will be tailored to your needs and relevant to the setting and sports you are undertaking.