September 18, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Vail Health\u2019s Wellness Series event, Fitness As You Age, Lindsey Duhamel, a sports physical therapist with Howard Head Medicina Deportiva<\/strong>, shared practical strategies for preventing injury and keeping the body ready to move at every stage of life. Originally from Boston, Duhamel moved to the Vail Valley for her sports residency program, where she gained experience working with elite athletes, mountain community members, and local high school students. Today, she continues that work, helping people of all ages stay strong, active, and resilient. Duhamel encouraged the audience to think of a warm-up as a transition switch. The bridge between daily life and physical activity. Skipping it often leads to injuries, as most occur when people go from \u201czero to one hundred\u201d without preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good warm-up increases blood flow, elevates heart rate, activates muscles, and protects joints from strain. Just as important, it primes the mind for movement. Whether preparing for a run, a strength session, or a recreational sport, warm-ups act as an insurance policy against injuries like hamstring pulls or shoulder irritation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key principles of effective warm-ups include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If warm-up is the signal to \u201cstart the day,\u201d recovery is the signal to close the laptop, shifting the body back into rest mode. Skipping recovery can increase overuse injuries, while practicing it helps muscles repair, replenishes energy stores, and prevents burnout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recovery comes in many forms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Duhamel recommends simple, habit-friendly strategies, like foam rolling while watching TV, stretching while cooking, or rehydrating before coffee or wine. Small, consistent actions add up to meaningful long-term benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we get older, recovery naturally takes longer, muscles and bones gradually decline, and joints lose flexibility. But intentional daily habits can offset these changes. Duhamel highlighted three key principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While injuries may happen, consistent investment in warm-up, recovery, and strength work helps people bounce back faster and maintain the ability to enjoy favorite activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Duhamel\u2019s closing message was clear: injury prevention is lifelong. Warm-up reduces acute injuries, recovery protects against overuse, and daily habits build a foundation for healthy aging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her takeaways for the audience were simple but powerful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Duhamel reminded the audience, \u201cYou can\u2019t run a car without gas. The same goes for your body. Take care of it now, and your future self will thank you.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":4743,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"class_list":["post-5560","event","type-event","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Building on the earlier talks by Genevieve Harrison<\/strong> and Dr. Sarah Robinson<\/strong>, Duhamel emphasized that warm-up and recovery are not extras, they\u2019re essential tools that prepare the body for movement, prevent setbacks, and support healthy aging.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Warm-Up Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Recovery: The Other Half of the Equation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Injury Prevention as We Age<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Closing Thoughts: Small Investments, Lasting Returns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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