Summer Sports: Preventing and Treating Common Injuries
You’ve waited all year for this: the sun is shining, your gear is out of storage, and the fields, courts, and trails are calling. But before you dive into a summer packed with soccer matches, tennis sets, long-distance runs, or beach volleyball showdowns, it’s time to talk about the one thing that could sideline all the fun: injury.
Summer sports injuries spike every year—and not just among elite athletes. Weekend warriors, casual players, and returning fitness enthusiasts are all at risk. At Aston Wellness Clinic we regularly treat the strains, sprains, and overuse injuries that accompany this seasonal surge in activity. The good news? Most of them are preventable. Even better? If they do happen, we can help you recover quickly and safely.
Why Summer Injuries Happen More Often
Aside from the sudden spike in activity, summer injuries often occur because athletes skip crucial steps: proper warm-ups, gradual progression, hydration, and recovery time. Warmer weather makes muscles feel more limber, which can be misleading. You feel ready to go hard—but your tendons, ligaments, and joints might not be.
Muscle fatigue sets in faster in the heat, altering your biomechanics and increasing the likelihood of missteps. Add the mental push to “make the most of the nice weather,” and you’ve got a perfect storm for sports-related mishaps.
Most Common Injuries We Treat at Aston Wellness
1. Ankle Sprains
Soccer, basketball, trail running—ankles take a beating. A single misstep on uneven ground can overstretch or tear ligaments. Treatment at Aston Wellness includes swelling management, range-of-motion exercises, and proprioception training to prevent re-injury.
2. Hamstring and Calf Strains
Quick acceleration or deceleration—common in soccer and tennis—puts hamstrings and calves at risk. Manual therapy and progressive loading are key to healing. Massage therapy can accelerate tissue repair.
3. Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)
Frequent in runners, this pain below the kneecap often stems from poor alignment, weak glutes, or excessive mileage. We use gait analysis, strengthening programs, and manual therapy to correct mechanics and relieve pain.
4. Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Overuse
Tennis players and swimmers often develop shoulder instability or rotator cuff strain from repetitive overhead motions. Physiotherapy and Pilates-based strengthening restore stability and mobility. Osteopathy may address underlying thoracic spine restrictions.
5. Heat-Related Fatigue and Dehydration Injuries
Cramping, muscle fatigue, and mental fog increase with dehydration. While not an injury in itself, dehydration raises the risk of bad decisions that lead to injury. Educating clients about hydration strategy and electrolyte balance is a crucial preventive step.
Tips to Stay Injury-Free This Summer
Our personal training team at Aston Wellness is here to coach you through sport-specific conditioning routines and stretching programs. If you’ve had a previous injury or are starting a new activity, a few sessions can set you up for a safer season.
Don’t Skip the Warm-Up: A five-minute jog, mobility drills, and dynamic stretching can prepare your body for movement. Start slow and ease into activity.
Respect the Cooldown: Static stretching, foam rolling, and light movement help flush lactic acid and prevent stiffness.
Cross-Train: If you’re a runner, try cycling or swimming once a week. If you’re a tennis player, Pilates can strengthen neglected stabilizers.
Hydrate with Purpose: Don’t just drink water. Add electrolytes if you’re active for over 45 minutes. Dehydration decreases performance and increases injury risk.
Watch the Heat Index: Avoid peak hours. Early morning or evening workouts lower your risk of overheating.
Hydration Tips for Active Summer Days
Recovery and injury prevention don’t stop at therapy. What you eat and drink can have a major impact.
Hydration Essentials:
Drink 250ml water every 20–30 minutes during prolonged activity
Add electrolytes if sweating heavily or exercising >45 minutes
Avoid energy drinks with high caffeine and sugar pre-activity
Make Summer Your Peak Season!
Whether you’re running marathons, chasing your kids around the backyard, or just returning to an active lifestyle after time off, Aston Wellness Clinic is here to help you thrive—not just survive.
Book a consultation today and let us help you make this your strongest, most injury-free summer yet!
Call us: (705) 531-3095 or Book Online here