Stretching

Main Training Techniques Page More about Stretching Stretching Exercises

There are four main reasons for stretching To improve flexibility To aid mobility for a session about to be undertaken To help in the prevention of injuries To speed rehabilitation of the body after injury When and Why should I stretch? Stretching can be performed as a session on its own in order to improve mobility. This is an aspect of training which is often neglected by athletes. Good mobility can help prevent injury. More commonly it will precede training sessions with the aim being to prepare the muscles for activity and reduce the risk of prevent injury. Increasingly, athletes are finding benefit in stretching post-training as this returns muscles to their original state, removing "knots" and tightness formed through hard exercise. Ill or Injured? Stand alone stretching sessions can be particularly useful in easier periods of training and when training is restricted by injury or illness, since it gives a sense of achievement on a purposeful activity whilst expending very little energy. Important Note You should never force a stretch. Go to the point of tension and hold for the required amount of time. For safety ensure yours knees and feets pointing in the same direction and avoid “locking” either your elbows or knees straight.