I'm a 33 year old male that has recently taken up skateboarding for the physical and mental health benefits.
For the first few weeks I became cardiovascularly and respitorially fatigued before becoming fatigued in my muscles and frame. After a month or so, my cardiovascular and respiratory stamina has greatly increased, and I can often skate until my muscles become weak, and often will because I am having a great time.
After skating I am always very sore. Mostly this is in my muscles, which is actually somewhat pleasurable as my brain uses the soreness as a motivational tactic (you're getting stronger, better, keep it up!) I also sometimes develop soreness in my knees, especially after vigorous sessions. The knee soreness is not pain. It does not bother me when I walk, but standing up from a sitting position and crouching into a squat position produce a dull strained feeling in my knees. I also sometimes feel sore in my ankles, but this is only rarely notiable. All the soreness I described has, so far, always gone away after a day or two.
I'd like to continue this hobby because it is having great benefits, but I do not want to injure myself chronically or acutely. I'm trying to take progress slowly, I'm careful not to attempt maneuvers am not prepared to learn, and I always wear wrist, elbow, and knee padding.
So, given where I am, my questions are:
- Are there any signs here that I am risking injury, long or short term?
- What strategies can I adopt to better prevent/lower risk of injuring myself?
- Are stretches before or after a good idea? If so, what should I be focusing on?
- Are other exercises a good idea? If so, which ones will help?