Over the past 2 years I have been fortunate enough to have worked as a touring physiotherapist for Athletics New Zealand. Travelling to events such as Australian and Oceania Championships has given me some insight into the challenges of travelling for sporting events. Whether you are fitting a sporting event in around a holiday or are travelling specifically for an event; here are a couple of useful tips for getting through the event unscathed.
- Travel a good few days before the event. Even short flights can be quite taxing on the body with a lot of standing, sitting and waiting around. Give yourself an extra few days to recover so you are in the best possible condition before your event.
- One of the leading reasons for feeling horrible after travelling is dehydration. Make sure you have a fillable water bottle and keep it regularly topped up.
- Go for some light aerobic activity soon after arriving. Go for a short run, a brisk walk, use a stationary bike or a swim on the first morning or evening available. Although you may not feel great before; this is a good way to get the blood flowing and help work out any muscle stiffness.
Travelling overseas for sport is a great opportunity to test yourself in different conditions and against different competition. Make sure not to change anything too dramatically from your normal pre-event routines and above all – enjoy yourself!!
