STAY AT THE TOP OF YOUR GAME

No matter what sport you play, paying extra attention to your physical well being is mandatory. Maintaining peak levels of injury free fitness can be a challenge, and therapeutic options like Sports massage have been found to offer many benefits to those engaged in all forms of sporting activity.

For example, cramping is a painful but inevitable part of sports, but regular sports massages can help relax knotted muscles and promote better blood flow, which means you are less likely to get muscle cramps since your muscles are already stretched and flexible.

Sports massage targets the soft tissues, helping to aid in recovery from injury, as well as to warm up and relax prior to competition or exercise. During the sports massage your therapist will use compressions, rubbing, as well as longitudinal, and cross-fibre frictions. Sports massages offer the following benefits: 1. Psychological – improved relaxation, higher range of movement, better recovery and minimal muscle tension 2. Physical – greater overall FLEXIBILITY, INCREASED TISSUES PERMEABILITY. AND IMPROVED micro blood flow.

3. Physiological – better pain control and stimulation of relaxation Other ways to help prevent cramps, particularly during high endurance activities like long distance running: Practise deep breathing - learn to take deep, full breaths from the diaphragm and not from the chest.

Stay hydrated - Drink about 500 ml at least two hours before a run and keep hydrating yourself just before and then during the race

Replenish electrolytes in your body Profuse sweating during a long race, especially in hot and humid weather, may deplete your electrolytes so consume electrolyte-fortified sports drinks

Do stretch and warm up exercises - You should spend at least 10 minutes stretching your calves, hamstrings and quadriceps muscles before a run to prevent muscle cramps.

Time your meals - Wait at least two hours after a meal before you go running.

Build up speed gradually – Pace yourself, maintain a steady pace so you have a reserve of energy at the end

At The Nail Anatomy, we are committed to your well being, providing you with services, therapies and products that enhance your life. We are proud to introduce the Breathe Day Spa located at 10, Cambridge Terrace, Colombo 7, and open 7 days a week from 9am to 8pm. Breathe Day Spa offers a range of unique treatments, discover more at www. breathe-spa.com