As the Winter Olympics in Vancouver quickly approach and the weather turns colder in some parts of the country, many people are heading outside to enjoy winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, skating, hockey and sledding.

While these cold weather sports are a great way to remain active all year long, they do come with an increased risk of injury, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

"Vigorous activity and exercise such as downhill skiing is both fun and important, but the cold temperatures and slippery surfaces of winter can produce significant injuries, especially for children,” said AAOS spokesman Dr. John Kelly "Wearing proper clothing, protective gear and avoiding extreme weather conditions can improve sporting safety so one must miss out on the winter fun."

Experts recommend dressing in layers of light, loose and water- and wind-resistant clothing while exercising outdoors during cold temperatures. Proper footwear as well as equipment such as helmets, goggles, gloves and padding that are in good working condition are also cold-weather musts.

The AAOS says that cold muscles, tendons and ligaments are more susceptible to injury. To avoid this, do some light exercises for at least 3 to 5 minutes, then slowly and gently stretch the muscles to be exercised, holding each stretch for at least 30 seconds.