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Articles » Health-&-Fitness » Exercise >> View Article
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| Warm Up Exercise Prevents Injury |
By:
Carol Bell |
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It is a well known fact that before any type of fitness training it is necessary to carry out some simple warm up moves so there is less chance of injury. However, there are a number of preventative practices that you should carry out as a matter of necessity if you are going to pursue any type of physical activity. It is a proven fact that injuries that happen during exercise can be prevented if the person not only stretches before a workout but as a cooling down routine as well. Almost everyone knows that stretching before workout prevents injuries, but only a few people know that stretching after workout, when muscles are still warm, can increase flexibility.
For most warm-ups it is quite acceptable to hold a stretching position for twenty seconds but to really extend the muscles groups and joint flexibility, this should be lengthened to one minute. The best method to achieve this is to stretch slowly and return to your original position slowly as this will prevent any jerking movements which could cause injury. By hold the stretched position for several seconds, and then slowly relaxing means you can do this exercise repeatedly, but bouncing or forcing yourself into a position during stretching can strain or damage some joints or muscles. Do not jump from an easy stretching exercise to a hard one, but complete the easiest first and do the hardest last as by this time most of your muscles will be warm and it will make the difficult exercise easier.
Another neglected area to stretch and warm up is the neck, it's amazing how many people forget even though it is not difficult to do, in fact all it requires is the palm of the hand being placed on the forehead and pushing against it; this can be repeated for the back and sides. Stretch regularly before fitness training to continually increase your range of movements and your level of flexibility and strength. Never try to compete with the abilities of others as this is a sure way to injure yourself; even if not at the time, you will almost certainly feel it later when you body has cooled down. There is no set standard you have to achieve each time you attend the gym, just work to your abilities each time, you will know when it does not feel right to continue so listen to your body as no-one is at their peak every time they workout.
Fitness training everyday can be punishing for the muscles and does not allow them to heal and grow so try to leave a day between workouts. Aerobic exercises are very good for the health of your heart and improve lung capacity and lower the heart rate; look to carry out rowing, running, skipping for example before you start attacking the weight machines. It is well known that music makes exercise easier as the beat is something you can follow and these days the tiny mp3 players can be attached without too much bother. Even though every mp3 player or instance comes complete with a set of headphones, it will be a worthwhile investment buying a decent pair as there is less likelihood of any sound leakage; other people just might not want to listen to your choice in music! Stretching your body is a form of exercise in itself and a pleasant way to relax at the end of a hard day so it is worth doing regularly even if you do not want to workout. |
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