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After
endless hours spent in front of computer and TV screens, sprint weather
motivates people to reconnect with nature. Inspired by good weather, many
revisit their favorite outdoor activities, take up new sports, or get
their yards and gardens into shape. But especially in areas with long and
cold winters, people have a tendency to do "too much, too fast" in spring
and summer. And if the body is not prepared for the sudden increase in
activity, they develop strains and sprains that involve soft tissue,
muscles, tendons and ligaments. Many people think gardening is an innocuous activity, but it puts the body in positions it hasn't been in for months--bending, sitting on the ground, stooping, working on all fours. To prevent discomfort and injury, treat gardening as an athletic event. Warm up, walk for 5 to 10 minutes to get your heart rate up. Stretching and flexing the spine for a minute or two before and after a gardening project. Sit tall in a straight chair with your feet on the floor. Inhale deeply as you slowly arch your spine; then exhale slowly as you curl. For those about to engage in heavy-duty gardening work, a combination of aerobics with strength training moves is recommended. |
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