You probably think of gardening as a gentle, leisurely activity safely enjoyed by the older generation. But new advice issued by the British College of Osteopathic Medicine warns gardeners to warm up, stretch regularly and take breaks to prevent the risk of injury.
After the winter, and with the UK currently going through a mild spell of weather, many people are getting back out into their gardens with what Dr Drysdale of the BCOM describes as “gung-ho” enthusiasm.
Just as you’d take the time to stretch and warm up before pounding the treadmill, the BCOM suggests doing likewise before picking up a spade.
The key tips offered, summarised in the BBC’s report on this advice, were:
Do gentle stretches before beginningDo no more than two hours per day at firstKneel down when plantingSwitch tasks regularlyTake care liftingDo not swing your mower from side to sideStop if you feel pain
The BCOM’s press release is available (as a Word document) at Beware The Spring Garden on their website.
Are you a gardener? Do you take the same care with gardening as you would with more formal exercise (like at the gym or on a sports team)?
More like this in Exercise Mar 26, 2009
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