15 Mar The Importance Of A Good Stretch
Most all of us can say that we know we need to stretch, but we rarely do it. Maybe if we have few extra minutes we decide to bend down, reach for our toes, hold for ten seconds, and ahhh we feel good to go.
Stretching is important for all individuals including elite athletes. Muscle tightness can lead to injury and also decrease athletic performance. By stretching and staying flexible it allows for full range of motion of the joints. For instance, if you are running and your hamstrings are tight it will not allow for a proper stride length which in turn can slow you down, or tight chest and shoulder muscles will not allow you to reach fully above your head to get that peanut butter jar out of the cabinet.
Working in a physical therapy clinic we see many individuals come in with back, neck, and shoulder pain, with one of the factors being tight muscles. Stretching is probably the most neglected part of fitness because most of us either hate doing stretches or think time would be better spent on some other type of exercise, but a good stretching routine will increase your mobility during exercise and prevent muscles from tiring too soon.
Stretching can also be beneficial during the day, if your neck muscles are tight you can give them a gentle stretch to release tension and also prevent headaches. So take just a few minutes out of your day by stretching to maintain proper range of motion and decrease risk of injury.
Cory Lee, LPTA, RRCA-Certified Running Coach
Owner Pro Physical Therapy in Mantachie
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