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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Ask The Doc
Raleigh Durham, NC
By: Mark A. Burt, M.D., F.A.A.O.S., Triangle Orthopaedic Associates, P.A. of Raleigh
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Photo(s) By: Kyle Danztler/MyActionPortraits.com
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Warm Up. Cool Down. Be Flexible.
Dear Dr. Burt:
After a weekend off from playing and training, I start Mondays feeling stiff and end up sore at the end of the day. What should I be doing on the weekends so I’m more comfortable playing during the week?
Warm Up. Cool Down. Be Flexible.
An effective fitness program is more than aerobic training and strength building. To really reap the benefits of exercise, you need to add flexibility training to the mix.
Stretching
Stretching can help your body get ready for exercise.
It is also an essential part of recovering from aerobic activity.
All exercise sessions should end with stretching – and not just for the mental relaxation benefits. The more flexible you are, the less likely you are to be injured during exercise
Warm Up
A good warm up prepares your body for more intense activity. It gets your blood flowing, raises your muscle temperature, and increases your breathing rate. Warming up gives your body time to adjust to the demands of exercise.
T his can improve your performance and help you get the results you want.
The simplest way to warm up is to do an aerobic activity at an easy pace. If cycling is what you plan to do, then start out slowly in a low gear.
How long you spend warming up will depend on your fitness level. If you are new to exercise, your body (and your mental resolve) will respond better with a longer warm up.
Adding stretches to your warm up may improve your exercise performance. Once your muscles are warm, spend a few minutes on stretching. Since the goal of your warm up is to increase your heart rate and get you ready for more intense work, choose stretches that can be done standing up. Floor stretches are best for your cool down segment.
Cool Down
Just as a warm up prepares your body for exercise, an effective cool down gives your body time to recover.
Your cool down begins as you gradually decrease your intensity level at the end of your aerobic exercise session. For example, if you have been walking at a quick pace, begin cooling down by slowing your steps and taking your arms out of the movement. Walk at a comfortable pace until your breathing and heart rate have returned to normal.
Once you are breathing easily, stretch while your muscles are still warm.
Flexibility
St retching is too often neglected by exercisers pressed to fit workouts into their busy schedules. This common mist ake can reduce the effectiveness of exercise because better flexibility results in better fitness.
By increasing your flexibility you can improve your ability to move around. You will have less muscle tension and your posture will likely improve. Most import antly, stretching after each workout reduces your risk for injury.
Credit: American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons www.aaos.org
Sidebar
Get the most out of your flexibility training by following these simple guidelines.
• Always warm up before your stretch. Stretching cold muscles can cause injury.
• Stretch slowly and gently. Breathe into your stretch to avoid muscle tension. Relax and hold each stretch 10 to 30 seconds.
• Do not bounce your stretches. Ballistic (bouncy) stretching can cause injury
• Stretching should not hurt. If you feel pain, take the stretch easier, breathe deeply, and relax into it.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends a variety of good stretching exercises. To see them, visit http://orthoinfo.aaos.org
Credit: American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons www.aaos.org
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