{"id":70928,"date":"2025-03-31T07:27:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T13:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=70928"},"modified":"2025-05-14T16:10:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T22:10:18","slug":"what-is-cross-training-how-is-it-beneficial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/what-is-cross-training-how-is-it-beneficial\/","title":{"rendered":"Importance of cross-training for athletes of all ages"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cross-training keeps you fit, prevents injuries, and adds variety to your workouts, engaging more muscles and avoiding boredom. Photo: Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A change of season often means shifting to a different sport and, unfortunately, can sometimes be accompanied by injuries when athletes have not undertaken the proper training to prepare for that change.<\/p>\n

\u201cTransitions from one seasonal sport to another usually means using different muscles,\u201d said Dr. Adam Wilson<\/a>, an orthopedic surgeon in Steamboat Springs and a member of the medical staff at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center<\/a>. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to strain new muscles and joints that have not been used for a while, which is why cross-training during the off season is so important.\u201d<\/p>\n

More<\/a> on how to prepare for winter sports.<\/div>\n

Whether you\u2019re a competitive athlete or just in it for the fun, a high school athlete or older adult, or someone just looking to stay in shape throughout the year, cross-training can be beneficial. It keeps you in peak condition, helps prevent injuries, and provides a change of pace that might prevent boredom and complacency from setting in as you work more muscles throughout the body.<\/p>\n

\u201cCross training is also injury prevention, which is an important piece of approaching a sport no matter what the age,\u201d said Wilson. \u201cPlus, it lets you enjoy the social aspects of year-round sports.\u201d<\/p>\n

What is cross-training?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For high school athletes or others turning their attention to the next season’s activities, he recommends balancing \u201cexplosive twitch\u201d training that relies on high-intensity running drills for speed and quick bursts of energy with \u201cslow twitch\u201d ones that use muscles that help with endurance and stamina.<\/p>\n

For instance, those playing football, basketball and soccer could balance their workouts with weightlifting, swimming or riding a stationary bike to build endurance and strength. During the off-season, they might try wrestling or track and field to work on different muscles. Similarly, during the off-season, runners can cycle to build endurance, and swimmers can hike or rock climb.<\/p>\n

Wilson recommends:<\/strong><\/h3>\n