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Fitness safety tips for a healthy body

  • Published
  • By Spc. Sharmain Burch
  • Third Army/ARCENT
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Incorporating exercise and physical activities as a part of your daily routine is taking personal responsibility towards having a healthier body.

Service members here are challenged to lead the way by performing fitness training; training which focuses on cardio respiratory and muscular endurance along with muscular strengthening. These challenges develop the body, but it's important to be mindful of what the body needs opposed to focusing on the results.

Although physical fitness demands are designed to be a challenge, a large part of that challenge is pushing harder but being safe. Whether you're playing sports or going to the gym in your spare time both demonstrate diligence but it's important to take caution at hard-core training and fun activities.

"Since October of last year a total of 10 accidents occurred here at Third Army/ ARCENT," said David P. Peters, Third Army/ARCENT safety specialist. "They range from lifting weight injuries to sprained ankles while running."

According to the U.S. Army Public Health Command, tens-of-thousands of sport related injuries occur every day. Through they're observation most injuries are preventable. Simply, doing sports specific warm-ups and the use of proper equipment are important. Also planning to run; either on a track or on a basketball court, it puts strain on the joints as there are ranges of intensity on varying surfaces are a factor, so foot wear for specific sports help prevent sustaining an injury.

Quick results for reducing fat, is not a healthy answer. Too often the aim at wanting that lean and fit physique, fast and easy, but desires of that nature are attracting more usage of metabolic enhancers according to the U.S. Army Public Health Command.

Fitness injuries are increasingly a threat to readiness. Though these enhancers are legal to purchase some dietary supplement products are banned from use and are being investigated for causing death.

Feeling challenged from a work out or competing for the crown while playing a fun sport is a natural desire but having a balance on how to progress the body to sustain more force, takes time and dedication. Be dedicated at being healthy.

For additional information on exercise safety, visit https://safety.army.mil.