While being fit won’t prevent you from catching the virus it does have many other protective benefits for athletes. Physical activity releases endorphins — chemicals in your brain that revitalize your mind and body — and it can help to improve all aspects of your overall health. Exercise can help ease depression, stress, and anxiety, and aid in the management of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. This means finding new ways to get moving and staying motivated allows you to take charge of your mood and well-being, retain a sense of control during uncertain times, and stay on track with your exercise goals when your routine is disrupted.
In addition to the general benefits of exercise on our body and mind, there are specific benefits to the way your joints move, your posture, your experience of body aches/pains, and your sports performance. Benefits of exercise move from general to specific when the optimal exercise type, intensity, frequency, and technical execution all line up to complement an athlete’s needs and goals.
We all have a limited amount of time, energy, and attention during this day and age. Sadly, there’s no shortage of online classes and fitness programs that really can do more damage than good. Are you moving better? Are you just replacing one body ache for another? Do you feel like you are just going through the motions and slogging? Do you walk away feeling more aligned and topped up with energy, or do you leave class feeling sore, tight, and drained?
I have been told my attention to detail and perfecting technique is quite rare in the fitness space, not to mention the online fitness space. Admittedly, teaching good technique is challenging. It requires patience and comprehensive analysis of an individual’s constantly shifting form. Corrections must be made swiftly to keep an athlete safe and still working in the ideal intensity zone, choice of words kept to an effective minimum, and appropriate movement alternatives offered where necessary.
If you’re a surfer, this video will be particularly useful for you. I want to keep your body moving safely so this video strives to teach you the perfect form of hip hinging techniques with the use of a broomstick (or dowel rod).
In addition to boosting your mood and improving sleep, exercise can also strengthen your immune system. Just don’t overdo it. While moderate physical activity supports immune function, too much intense activity — especially if you are not used to it – may have the opposite effect and suppress your immune system. If you’re dealing with the Coronavirus, too much exercise too soon after being infected will also suppress your immune system and slow your recovery, so take it easy and ensure your symptoms have cleared before lightly returning to exercise.
Editor’s Note: You can find more online content from Michelle Drielsma here
