Cross Training means using a secondary activity as an adjunct to your primary activity. It is common for sports that include a lot of repetitive actions.
BENEFITS OF CROSS TRAINING
- Variation from repetitive movements of primary sport.
- Injury prevention.
- Improves different fitness components.
- Improves mobility restrictions caused by primary sport.
- Enhances performance by doing a sport which targets your weaknesses.
EXAMPLES OF CROSS TRAINING
- Football players doing Pilates.
- Rowers using running and cycling to maintain fitness & strength.
- Cyclists using running during the off reason to improve bone density.
- Runners using water running, elliptical trainers, or cross country skiing.
- Swimmers lifting free weights.
HOW OFTEN
- Cross training is typically done twice per week and can be used as light training to add variety and keep moving during recovery periods.
RISKS
- Over reaching at an activity you are inexperienced at and causing injury.
- Developing muscles not required for your primary sport.
- Fatigue effecting training in primary sport.
Dr Brendan O’Loughlin is an experienced Osteopath at Melbourne Osteopathy Sports Injury Centre. He has extensive knowledge of health, nutrition and managing an active lifestyle. He is also a competitive triathlete.
If you would like to speak to Dr Brendan O’Loughlin or one of our other practitioners about integrating cross training in to your sport, please feel free to ask a question, contact us or email us at: info@
