Warming and stretching have numerous benefits such as improved posture, increased flexibility, improved performance in sports, relief of pain in some diseases or even injury prevention. However, in order to get good results, it is essential that these exercises be practiced properly and in moderation.
Benefits of stretching
Stretches are exercises in which the person remains for a certain time in a posture in which the intended muscle remains at its maximum extent.
The main benefits of stretching for health are as follows:
1. Improve posture
Stretching the body regularly reduces muscle tension, improving the posture, avoiding the discomfort that could arise with poor posture.
2. Increase flexibility
If muscles are flexible, performance in daily activities and during physical activity is better. In addition, stretching helps maintain and regain flexibility, which generally decreases with age.
3. Enable wide movement
Stretching improves flexibility, which will mean that, during sports, you get wider movements and better balance
4. Help in relaxation
Stretching relieves muscle tension, often responsible for back, neck and head pain. In addition, stretching relaxes the body and mind, helping in relieving stress.
5. Activate blood circulation
Stretching increases blood flow in muscles, which is very important for recovery after muscle injury.
Watch the following video and check out the stretching exercises that can be done daily:
Stretching also helps recover and relieve pain in some injuries and diseases such as arthritis, tendinitis, fibromyalgia, or sciatic nerve inflammation, but it is important that they be done with great care and moderation to prevent them from getting worse.
Benefits of heating
The warm up consists of practicing physical exercises similar to those that will be done during the training, but of less intensity. This step is very important and fundamental to have a good performance and above all to avoid injury.
The main benefits of heating to health are as follows:
1. Prepares the body for effort and improves performance
Warming increases body temperature by improving the conduction of nerve impulses to muscles and decreasing muscle viscosity, thereby reducing the friction between muscle fibers, improving performance.
2. Reduces the risk of injury
Warming increases the release of synovial fluid, which is related to joint lubrication, reducing the friction between the cartilage and bones and therefore, the risk of developing injuries is less.
3. Improves mental preparation
Since warm-up consists of doing the physical exercise with less intensity, it will mentally prepare the person to improve the concentration in order to make a greater effort.
When not to stretch
Stretching should not be done before practicing bodybuilding because it will reduce the strength of muscles.
In addition, it should not be performed until you feel pain, you should only feel some discomfort so that you can stretch the muscle properly.
Care should also be taken with injured muscles or some painful region, so as not to aggravate the problem. In these cases, it should be lengthened with the help of a professional, such as a physical therapist, for example.
