Shoveling snow may not be an
Olympic event, but it should be treated as a sport. Before
individuals play baseball or football, they know it is important
to prepare their bodies with some type of warm-up exercise,
such as stretching, before they take the field. Their muscles
need to be properly prepared prior to performing such rigorous
activity. Many of these same individuals probably wouldn’t
warm-up in the same way for shoveling snow from their sidewalks
and driveways but they should, says Michael Johnson, PT,
MS, OCS, assistant professor of physical therapy at University
of the Sciences in Philadelphia. "A lot of ‘weekend
warriors’ who play basketball or football won’t
think twice about stretching before they play, but they’ll
carelessly go out and shovel snow without any type of warm-up
activity," says Johnson. "If your body isn’t
prepared for shoveling snow, your chances of sustaining
muscle pulls and strains will increase. Back injuries, associated
with shoveling, are one of the most common injuries when
snow falls."
Johnson notes that correct
position is important when shoveling. He says you shouldn’t
overload the shovel and you should never use your back to
lift snow.
"The back is not meant
to do this type of activity," he adds. "The back
is supposed to be stable so that the arms and legs can move
appropriately. You have to lift and then turn with the arms
and legs. Injuries occur when people lift and turn or twist
with their backs."
Shoveling snow can also be
fatal. According to Johnson, numerous individuals suffer
heart attacks from the strain of lifting snow. He says men
and women above the age of 45 who are not physically active
should take extreme caution when they take to shoveling.
He adds that it might even be wise to pay someone to do
it for them.
"The heart is a muscle
like any other muscle in your body," says Johnson.
"When it gets strained, it shuts down because it can’t
handle the increased load. Older adults, who aren’t
otherwise physically active, tax their cardiovascular system
when they start to shovel. This sudden increase in activity
can result in a greater likelihood for heart attacks. You
have to remember that shoveling is hard work and you should
take every precaution to not get injured or even worse."
To arrange an interview
with Professor Johnson, contact John M. Martino at (215)
895-1186.
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