By preparing your musculoskeletal system prior to the spring sports season, and by staying loose during your activity sessions, you should experience both a lower risk of injury and a high level of athletic performance.

Wayne L. Westcott, Ph.D., is fitness research director at the South Shore YMCA in Quincy, MA. He is editorial advisor for many publications, including Shape Magazine, Prevention Magazine, Club Industry Magazine, and Men's Health Magazine, and author of several fitness books including the new releases, Building Strength and Stamina, and Strength Training Past 50. Dr. Westcott was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from IDEA, and the Healthy American Fitness Leader Award from the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.