How Do Athletes Stay Fresh During Their Off Seasons
All athletes, no matter what the sport may be, have an offseason. But, how off are they truly feeling during this time? After the Superbowl, World Series, National Championship, or State Tournament, there comes an offseason. Although these athletes may not be playing games on a consistent basis, they are still working extremely hard for their careers. There are always nutritional goals, workout programs, regular stretching, and specific sports drills to be done.
The nutritional goals in the pros are always set up by the team’s nutritionist. These are specific to that athlete. Some of the athletes may need to gain healthy muscle mass, which makes them bulkier to block people, throw harder, whatever their case may be. There are some that may need to lean out or maintain their weight. While others need to lose a lot because their weight may be slowing them down. There are many different cases as to what types of diets these athletes need. They are also in some cases encouraged to use health supplements or types of protein powders.
Workout programs in the offseason are extremely important. Athletes are competitive by nature, during the offseason they take this time to become better and stronger. This time allows them to work on a skill they would like to become more confident with. Coming back to training unprepared could lead to an end in their career. The higher the levels you reach, the more competition there is. When you have not sharpened your skills and everyone else has during the offseason, it becomes easier for you to get left behind.
Avoiding injuries is one of the main reasons these athletes stretch and stay in shape. They are aware of the risk they put themselves in when they let themselves become tight and out of shape. It is always important to stretch before and after a workout. But, even when you are not participating in something physical, daily stretching improves balance, posture, and blood circulation. After regular stretching, your body starts to feel better, making you carry yourself better. You are less likely to pull a muscle or get a cramp while working out. This is why everyone should stretch, not just athletes.
Every position player has certain drills that they should be doing in the offseason. For pitchers, throwing programs are implemented and should be strictly followed. Pitchers exert their arms so much during the season that rest is very important, but not too much of it. They take time off with some light throwing, and the closer they get to the season, the harder they throw. Football players may have to work on footwork, conditioning, maybe throwing. Everything differs and depends on the sport and the position of the specific athlete.
The offseason is to be enjoyed by athletes; they need time to recoup from the everyday grind of their sports. Baseball players go at least 7 months straight with very few days off in that. Although football is once a week, the athletes are required to train every day of the season. Student-athletes are battling classes and practices for months. The offseason gives them a little extra time to focus on their studies. Although these athletes are given some time off from their crazy schedules, there is not that much rest and relaxation as we may think.
Did you know that you do not need a referral for physical therapy? For more information call Park Physical Therapy at (516) 798-3789 with 2 locations in Massapequa!
