With the MLB Championship Series well underway, it’s important for players to be prepared and ready for the final stretch demands. According to Dr. Anil Ranawat, Orthopedic Surgeon and Assistant Team Physician for the New York Mets, after the long grueling season, the most important aspect of the post season is to stay physically and mentally prepared. Dr. Ranawat offers tips on how to stay prepared during the post season.
1. Stretch. After going through the regular season, it is very easy to become more relaxed and start taking it easy on pre-game exercises. To avoid any hamstring pulls or muscle tears, especially as the colder weather approaches, you need to continue to stretch before the game so that in the 11th inning you can still beat out a ground ball to win the game!
2. Dress properly. As summer ends and the fall creeps upon us, it is important for you to start unpacking your winter clothes. As the weather turns, it’s vital you wear the proper gear to prevent catching a cold. It’s the post season and your team can’t afford to lose you!
3. Stay hydrated. After the regular season grind, it is crucial to continue to stay hydrated. Dehydration can result in dizziness and feeling sleepy, and we all know you can’t be tired in the 9th inning!
4. Stay warm and ready during the game. Since there is down time during the game, it’s important you stay warm and prepared at all times. You should continually use the stationary bike and do light cardio to prevent any injury, since it might be you with the game on the line!
Dr. Anil Ranawat is an HSS orthopedic surgeon and assistant team physician for the New York Mets. His clinical and research interests are focused on joint-preservation surgery of the knee and hip, robotic surgery, partial knee replacement and mobile-bearing technology.
