Stretches to Keep Santa Injury-Free on Christmas Eve
Leave a CommentSanta Clause may only work one night a year, but his job is so important that he cannot risk injury during his journey across the globe to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve.
To help, Athletico is providing Santa with some safety tips and stretches to assist him in getting through the rest of the holiday season.
Pre-Delivery Stretches
Santa should stretch his legs and hamstrings before he goes to work on Christmas Eve. By walking forward and reaching toward his toes with his opposite hand, Santa will fully stretch his leg muscles for the evening ahead. He can also bring his heal toward his buttocks for an additional stretch.
Keep Balance Across Snow and Ice
It can be slippery in December, which means that Santa should wear gym shoes for added support. The rubber soles will give him added grip when walking over snow and ice.
Practice Shimmying Down the Chimney
Santa will need to be very agile to move down chimneys of all shapes and sizes. To prepare for this he should do the skater exercise. Start in a small squat and then jump sideways to the left, landing on one’s left leg. Then he should bring his right leg behind to his left ankle (not letting it touch the floor). Then Santa should reverse direction by jumping to the right with his right leg.
Using His Knees to Bend
When lifting any heavy presents, the body parts most prone to injury are the lower and mid back, as well as the hips and shoulders. When Santa is carrying a heavier gift, he should be sure to squat down or lunge to pick it up. Never bend straight from the back or lift with blunt force.
Practice Using the Reigns
Before Santa will have to direct the reindeer, he should practice controlling the reigns to build up his arm strength. Santa can do this by holding a large rope at arm’s length in front of his hips with his hands shoulder-width apart. Next, Santa should brace his core and begin alternately raising and lowering each arm. By alternating arms for 1 to 20 minutes, Santa will begin to feel a burn in his arms and shoulders, which will help him prepare for a full night ahead.
Stretching Into the New Year
It is important to note that even after Santa hangs up his reigns this year, these safety tips and stretches can be used by everyone all year long! For example, it is always a good idea to wear gym shoes with rubber soles when walking over slippery surfaces in the winter. Should an injury occur, make sure to call your nearest Athletico clinic so our clinicians can help you heal and get back to doing the things you love – like spending time with your family during the holiday season.
Happy Holidays!
The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.
