What can people do to avoid overexertion and injury when engaged in strenuous winter activities like snow shoveling, skiing, or snowboarding?
Dr. Levy: Before engaging in any strenuous activity out in the cold, it’s important to warm up with proper stretching and light exercise. This will prepare the muscles, including the heart, for physical challenges, and allow them to work more efficiently and be less likely to sustain an injury. Related Content More: Get Email Updates: Pick Your Topics Here More: Get desktop alerts Snow shoveling is always a concern for those over 60 years of age. What precautions should they take? Dr. Levy: Snow shoveling can result in a rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as muscle strains and aches, so anyone who is inactive or has a history of heart trouble or other risk factors should talk to their physician before tackling this task. If you’re given the go-ahead, you still need to proceed with caution: Start out slowly to avoid placing a sudden demand on your heart, as well as to avoid injuring muscles that aren’t used to this activity. Take frequents breaks and stop immediate
