1. Revving the Engine
Lots of people are into motocross racing for the speed, the noise and the fast-paced action. But if you're participating in motocross riding, you need to take certain precautions to keep yourself safe. Areas like the neck, shoulders, wrists and ankles can become injured when riding, so you need to protect yourself and know how to prevent injuries when you ride. There are a few key safety tips and equipment that will help you stay safe and prevent shoulder injuries in motocross.
2. Warm Up Before a Race
Doing warmups and shoulder stretching exercises help prepare you mentally and physically for a race. Stretching beforehand warms muscles and loosens them so they don't strain or overextend on a jump or landing. Rotate your arm in a circle, windmill style, to work the shoulder muscles. Stretch each arm across your chest and hold it with the other arm, then stretch each arm behind your back in the same motion. Hold each extension for 10 seconds to stretch the ligaments in your shoulder joint and arm.
3. Landing Safely
In the unfortunate event of an accident, landing safely after a fall can help you prevent shoulder injuries. If you fall off the bike, roll when you hit the ground instead of landing solidly on your shoulder. This takes you out of the way of other riders and minimizes the impact on your shoulder. Less damage will be done to your shoulder joint if you don't land directly on it when you hit the ground. Don't try to stop yourself with your hands either; you could break a wrist, but the impact when you hit the ground with full force could damage your shoulder, too.
4. Strengthen Shoulders for Safety
Increase your shoulder strength as part of your regular workout routine. Lots of weightlifting and cardio exercises strengthen shoulder muscles, and strong shoulders are less vulnerable to injury or sprain. Overhead dumbbell raises increase shoulder and chest strength. If you're not sure what to do, ask a personal trainer for some exercises that will help increase shoulder mass and strengthen your shoulders and arms.
5. Dress for Success
Invest in protective motocross gear to help keep yourself safe. To protect the shoulder and prevent injury, look for gear that has protective plating over the shoulder areas to guard against falls and flying debris. Make sure the gear allows you to have full range of motion so you can move your arms and shoulders freely.
