Whether it be Lebron James or Michael Jordan, every basketball athlete has their heroes. While these basketball all-stars may break countless shot records or dazzle spectators with flashy maneuvers, what they do off the court contributes to their greatness just as much as their high-intensity training. What really separates the wheat from the chaff and allows the greatest athletes to continue learning and growing throughout their lifetimes is a mastery of injury prevention and recovery.
Athletes looking to make the most out of their training would do well to prioritize injury prevention and proper off-the-court recovery. Through years of intense athleticism in basketball and other sports, the body’s joints and ligaments incur gradual wear and tear: meaning debilitation of normal function and a decrease in athletic performance. Despite its importance, actively preserving joints and ligaments doesn’t have to take hours every day. Light exercise such as stretching, walking, or cycling for just 30 minutes can keep the body’s connective tissues warm, healthy, and primed for higher-intensity training. Cramps, muscle pulls, tendonitis, and other injuries are far less likely to occur if the body is warm and ready for more strenuous physical activity.
Proper nutrition also plays a key role in longevity. Athletes routinely training or performing at a high level should be mindful of their protein intake, as a diet lacking in protein can inhibit recovery, increase the risk of wear and tear, and prevent you from performing your best. To see the best possible results from your efforts in the gym, aim to get some protein in your system post-workout so your body can properly grow and recover.
Ultimately, establishing a focus on longevity and recovery at a young age can help athletes stay more in tune with their bodies, and allow them to push harder towards greater goals in the long term. The steps toward proper recovery may seem small and insignificant on a day-to-day basis, but allow athletes to stay injury-free in the long term, and get to an advanced level of play they certainly would not reach with a laundry list of nagging injuries. Combine light, supplemental exercise with a high-protein diet and tons of good-quality rest to become the BEST possible athlete you can be!
