From: Subject: The Importance of Stretching Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:12:36 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.edcefalu.com/massage/docs/Stretchingv2.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3138 The Importance of = Stretching

The
Importance
of
STRETCHING!!!

 

Stretching is so often something = people=20 neglect to do at the end of a training session because they are too = tired to do=20 anything else. Or when
they do, they simply rush through each = individual=20 stretch and in so doing they don=92t get the full benefit of each one.=20  

 

We stretch to improve our=20 flexibility and range-of-motion (ROM) in all of the joints in our = body. 

 

Flexibility is important = because:=20  

 

=B7           = ;         =20 It improves muscle balance = around a=20 joint, thus improving our body posture

=B7           = ;         =20 It reduces the chance of = injury when=20 playing a sport or in every day activities

=B7           = ;         =20 It increases the blood and = nutrient=20 supply to muscles and cartilage, thus=85

=B7           = ;         =20 It reduces muscle soreness = after=20 training

 
STRETCH CORRECTLY!

Stretching should not be = done as a=20 warm-up to an activity as you could injure your muscles if stretching = them when=20 they are cold. At least
3 to 5 minutes of cardiovascular training is = recommended to warm up the muscles sufficiently prior to stretching. = Each major=20 muscle group
should be stretched slowly and with control, holding = each=20 stretch for 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 60 seconds. Hold each stretch at the = point of=20 mild
tension or tightness, but not to the point of pain.=20  

 

It is important to stretch = after=20 doing any physical activity. When muscles perform an exercise, they = tighten and=20 shorten as a result. Stretching
them out helps to restore and = improve their=20 length. When doing strength training, you could stretch each muscle = group=20 directly after performing
each set.

 

 

When NOT to=20 Stretch:

 

=B7           = ;         =20 Following muscle strains = or ligament=20 sprains

=B7           = ;         =20 When joints or muscles are = infected,=20 inflamed or hurt after a recent fracture

=B7           = ;         =20 When sharp pains are felt = in the=20 joints or muscles

 

Reference:  =93Your Personal Trainer" by = Douglas=20 Brooks           =20     = Revised &=20 Reformatted by Edward R. Cefalu,=20 NCTMB/CMT