There are many things people can do to help lower their risk of sprains and strains:

• Avoid exercising or playing sports when tired or in pain.
• Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet to keep muscles strong.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Practice safety measures to help prevent falls (for example, keep stairways, walkways, yards, and driveways free of clutter; anchor scatter rugs; and salt or sand icy patches in the winter).
• Wear shoes that fit properly.
• Replace athletic shoes as soon as the tread wears out or the heel wears down on one side.
• Do stretching exercises daily.
• Be in proper physical condition to play a sport.
• Warm up and stretch before participating in any sports or exercise.
• Wear protective equipment when playing.
• Run on even surfaces.
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