GET UP & GO

What is Get Up & Go?
A Health and Fitness Challenge for Communities, Groups and Organizations of St. Clair County, Illinois.

How Does it Work?
Groups and organizations participate in fitness activities of their own choosing and share their success stories through the campaign website at www.getupgo.info.

When Does the Campaign Start?
Groups can start anytime.  In fact some organizations already have a fitness activity going on.  The official participant sign-up month is April 2008.

How do I get my group or organization started?
Visit us at the Get Up & Go website for ideas, suggestions and scheduled events.

 

 

The Importance of a Proper Warm-Up

Individuals often overlook or downplay the importance of a proper warm-up. A good warm-up is essential for reducing the risk of injury in both competitive sports and low intensity workouts.

Warming-up increases blood flow to the muscles which produces heat that warms the muscles and connective tissue, allowing them to stretch without tearing.

Warming-up improves the speed at which muscles contract, reducing reaction time, and increasing range of motion which helps improve overall athletic performance.

Light aerobic activity also initiates the release of adrenaline and other hormones responsible for the mobilization of fuels used during exercise.

The length of time it takes to warm-up and the intensity of the warm-up depend on the sport, the position, and the person. It is better to over warm-up than it is to under warm-up.

WEEKEND HEALTH WARRIORS
"PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR PAIN!"

While there is no fountain of youth, many of us try to slow down the aging process by staying physically active. As sports season's shift, registration for recreational leagues, will soon be in full gear.

Once this activity starts, the amateur or occasional athlete may ignore those warning signs of injuries which require prompt attention. While some sports injuries are immediately evident, others can creep up slowly and progressively get worse.

Marc DeJong, M.D., can explain the difference between "good or bad" pain following strenuous activity, and what to do when pain starts.