Health Tip: Protect Your Muscles

Conditions that raise your risk for strain and injury

Related Encyclopedia • Animal Bites • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair • Arthritis • Arthroscopy & Arthroscopic Surgery More... Related Animations • Allergy More... Related Healthscout Videos Custom Ankle Replacements Replacing Worn Out Wrists Joint Attack Fibromyalgia Explained More... Related Drug Information • Ultram • Vioxx More... Related News Articles • Hip Fracture Risk in Women Increases With Age • Healing Scar Tissue: Hope for Spinal Cord Injuries • Sleep Apnea Therapy Improves Golf Game • U.S. Children Short on Vitamin D More...

(HealthDay News) - It's important to stretch and warm up your muscles before exercise.

Text Continues Below

---

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lists these common risk factors for muscle strains and injury:

• Tired muscles that have been worked too hard.
• Tight muscles that haven't been properly stretched.
• Weak muscles that haven't been strengthened through training and exercise.
• Muscles that haven't been warmed up before exercise, sports or other activities.
• Muscle groups that work together that don't have properly balanced strength. For example, a stronger hamstring than quadriceps, or vice versa.

-- Diana Kohnle