Are you missing the most important part of your workout?

By Gavin Porter | Posted 2/12/2016

Many factors go into the preparation and performance of athletes. One vital feature that can be overlooked is stretching.

Athletes put a tremendous amount of stress on their muscles. Whether it is weight training, playing in a game or general exercise, stretching protects and improves muscle function.

“Stretching is important for peak muscle function,”said Dr. Patrick Kersey of Indianapolis-based St. Vincent Sports Performance and USA Football’s Medical Director. “It makes you more flexible but also helps the body have equal and symmetric flexibility in all joints. This promotes better body bio mechanics and better prepares athletes for exercise and general movements.”

While there are different types of stretches, it is important to know when to stretch. Athletes should stretch at least twice during exercises – at the beginning of physical activity and as a cooldown.

“Athletes have to warm up their muscles before stretching by doing something light,” Kersey said. “That way the muscles are loosened up and the areas where the tendons and muscles mesh together will not be as vulnerable.”

After exercising, athletes should implement a 10- to 15-minute post-activity stretching into their cooldown routine.

“Static and dynamic stretching following physical exertion aids muscle recovery while keeping muscle tendons in the right place,” Kersey said. “By taking the extra time to stretch, athletes prepare their muscles properly and get the most out of their muscles.”

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