As the weather starts to get darker and colder, many students may be apprehensive about playing sports in these conditions. These winter months mean a higher chance of injury, a potential lack of motivation and concerns about whether facilities are fit for this time of year. Students should do their best to not worry about any of these things as there are plenty of ways they can mitigate any risks of playing sports in the winter months.
Playing sports deep into the winter may see temperatures drop to below freezing which puts participants at risk. The simplest thing that students can do is just to wear extra layers. A thermal layer underneath your kit would really make a difference. Gloves and thicker socks will protect extremities and help students handle the cold.
Students may also find it useful to do a quick warm up inside before beginning their outdoor training. By getting their blood flowing, they will be less susceptible to strains brought on by the cold weather. As with playing sports at any time of the year, stretching and warming up properly can seriously offset the risk of any negative consequences associated with the cold weather. As always, students should be encouraged to stay hydrated, even when training in such low temperatures. While more associated with the scorching summer highs, making sure you are hydrated enough to compete is hugely important.
Emma Brentnall, who plays Politics Netball said: “When I’m playing sports in the winter, I make sure to bring lots of layers and have a hot shower when I get home.”
Something that may go under students’ radar is how they have to adapt to the playing surface. If playing on grass in the winter, they may need longer studs to prevent slipping and potential injury on the soft ground. When playing on these softer surfaces, students will need to be more careful running in the wet conditions to ensure they do not slip or injure themselves.
Students must also recognise the dangers of getting to and from training in the dark. Students should travel in groups or pairs to and from training wherever possible. You should communicate with your teammates to find others going in a similar direction to you to make sure you are all safe. Teammates should be looking out for each other and letting others know when they arrive home after training, especially in these darker months. If it is not possible to travel with others, students should elect to use public transport to get to and from training. It would also be wise to let someone else know where you are going to be, such as a housemate or a parent, so they can make sure you get home safe.
It is extremely difficult to stay motivated enough to keep playing sports in these winter months. A report from Sports Insight said that 61% of British People completely stop exercising during the winter months. A simple thing you can do, which is easier when playing a team sport, is to have someone who holds you accountable, with you doing the same for them. If you make an agreement with someone on your team to go to all training sessions and keep up the healthy habits you have developed in the summer, you will find yourself increasingly motivated in this more difficult time of the year. It may also be a smart decision to adjust your schedule. It will be more difficult to train late into the night with it being darker and colder, so you may find some more joy training more towards the middle of the day when temperatures will be slightly higher.
Motivation is difficult for everyone in these winter months, not just those playing sports. The University of Sheffield has a Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies service that students should not hesitate to contact if they are struggling in any way.
Lily Packer, Captain of the Politics Netball team, said: “When I’m playing sports in the winter, we check the court is safe before we begin and make sure we bring warm layers to put on after we have finished playing.”
The University of Sheffield has two extremely well equipped sports facilities for both indoor and outdoor sports. Both Goodwin Sports Centre and Norton Sports Park boast amazing sports venues such as 11 a side football pitches, 2 full size rugby pitches, a fully equipped gym and much more. These are facilities of the highest standard, helping to prevent injury, especially in the cold weather. These facilities also have good transport links to make them accessible to students, even in the dark.
