Stretching is an essential and an integral part of every workout program, especially mobility stretches because flexibility is considered to be part of the five most important components of everyone’s fitness It should be included in all regular training regimes and these are the main reason why:
Reduction of Injury Risk
- You can increase your range of joint motion safely when you are flexible because you lower your risk of injury from strenuous movements.
- Stretching slows down the deterioration of your muscles and joints.
- Stretching your muscles helps to loosen them up and gets your body ready for exercise, which lowers your risk of getting hurt. Pre-stretched, powerful muscles are more resilient to stress than un-stretched ones.
- Stretching, especially of the shoulders, chest, and lower back, aids in posture improvement. Lower back pain is less likely due to the increased flexibility brought on by stretching the muscles that attach to the pelvis, the hamstrings, and the hip flexors.
- Stretching can lower stress levels in the body because as muscles warm up, they release less tension, allowing for proper muscle relaxation. Muscles that are constantly tense have a tendency to cut off a lot of their own blood flow, starving them of oxygen and causing damage.
- Stretching improves blood flow throughout the body, especially to the muscles and joints. This enables the essential nutrient to swiftly and effectively reach the locations where it is required.
- Mobility stretches improve the mechanical efficiency and performance of joints because it makes them more energy efficient, they will also improve your “body awareness” and increase your body’s ability to learn and perform different types of skilled movements.
Post Exercise, Stretching
- Stretching after exercise or during maintenance exercise is now regarded as being equally as significant as stretching before exercise. By returning the muscles you worked during your workout to their normal length, stretching them can help to reduce any potential pain or stiffness because it lessens the effect of tightening and shortening that frequently occurs during exercise.
- A maintenance stretch is typically performed five to ten times while being held for a duration of 0 to 5 seconds.
- For females, this is frequently crucial because it lowers the risk of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) or helps to relieve its symptoms.
You Should Avoid Stretching
- Unless under the supervision of your healthcare provider, such as a physiotherapist, if you have recently suffered from bone fractures, strains, sprains, or cramps.
- if the inflammation or infection in your muscles or joints.
- if you exhibit any osteoporosis symptoms or have gout or other types of arthritis.
- If you experience any strange pain when stretching your muscles or moving the joint.
- If you have a skin condition or any type of bold disorder.