Playing Tennis - Good Exercise?

If you are looking to get yourself fit, but cannot faceTo prevent hand blisters, keep your racquet handle dry
the gym or hate running - why not take up a fun sportby using sawdust or hand chalk. Wearing a bandage
instead? Tennis is a great sport to play for both funon there to help deter the onset of tennis elbow.
and fitness. Playing tennis on a regular basis can helpTennis elbow is caused by either a subtle or abrupt
maintain or improve balance, mobility, agility, strengthtearing of the tendon and muscle area around the
and fitness. It also helps burn calories.outside of the elbow. It specifically involves the area
Playing tennis is usually considered to be the healthiestwhere the tendons and muscles of the forearm attach
way to burn calories and lose those extra fats. It notto the outside bony area of the elbow. Tennis elbow is
only rejuvenates your body but also makes you ana common cause of pain and disability for frequent
expert in game. As a tennis game can end up taking atennis players.
long time to finish, you will find that your stamina buildsPrevention of tennis elbow is far easier than a cure.
up rapidly as you get used to these longer games. OfStretching is key to warming up your muscles and
course, as with any exercise regime the morepreventing injury. You just need a few minutes of
exercise you can get the better you will feel!good stretching. Stretching your muscles will relieve the
To ensure that you play the best that you can, youpressure on the tendons, which is what in fact causes
need to make sure that you have the right equipment.tennis elbow pain. The tendons become irritated when
Wear tennis shoes with good support to protect yourthey are put under too much repetitive pressure all of
ankles and thick (not cotton) socks that fit well toa sudden, which in turn causes the pain you
prevent blisters on your feet. Playing tennis is all aboutexperience. Stretching "decreases muscle tension,
sudden starts and stops, as well as moving quicklyincreases range of motion, coordinates freer and
from side to side. The trouble is that, during extremeeasier movement, and allows for better performance.
stopping, cornering, and pivoting, if the sneaker's outsoleAs a person stretches a muscle, the muscle becomes
is too rigid, the tennis player loses contact with thelonger, allowing for more flexibility and less resistance
playing surface, which results in a loss of footing.to intense exercise.