Unit 3. Physical condition and motor skills.Training  Plan

Reading. The Benefits of Stretching

The Benefits of Stretching

THE BENEFITS OF STATIC STRETCHING FOR MEN AND WOMEN

Spending a few minutes after a tough session in the gym to perform static stretches (never mind the occasional ridiculous pose) could prevent injury and do your body a whole lot of good. Static stretches help improve flexibility, enhance your range of motions, relieve stress and lessen the risk of injuries.

Researchers have found solid evidence that static stretches offer therapeutic benefits when performed post-workout. 

These are the top benefits of static stretching.

BENEFIT 1: ENHANCED FLEXIBILITY

One of the key benefits of stretching is improved flexibility of the various muscle groups in the body. While it’s important for fitness, flexibility also helps to reduce muscular tension. It helps stiff and contracted muscles to relax into their original forms. Regularly performing static stretches after a workout will make your body more flexible in no time.

Bending, squatting, and other flexibility related motions become a lot easier. Working your muscles hard and then stretching them properly helps the muscles adapt to a greater range of motion and makes it possible to optimally use their capacity the next time.

BENEFIT 2: ELIMINATES LACTIC ACID

Once you begin a workout, your body produces lactic acids which cause muscle fatigue and soreness. Performing proper static stretches will relax the muscles and get rid of the lactic acids.

BENEFIT 3: PREVENTS CRAMPING

Excessive sweating and dehydration while exercising can cause painful muscular cramps. But this is hardly an excuse to skip leg day. Constantly rehydrating with sips of water and stretching those sore muscles will ensure their chancing of cramping up on you are greatly reduced.

BENEFIT 4: PROMOTES MUSCULAR COORDINATION 

Static stretches improve the ability of the muscles to work in tandem. Consistent stretching makes this possible, and the resultant benefit is better functional mobility of the body’s muscle groups especially if functional strength training is your thing.

Static stretches after intense weight training session greatly reduce muscle fatigue and tenderness by speeding recovery time. This gets your muscles fired up and thirsting for the next session.

BENEFIT 5: COOLS THE BODY DOWN GRADUALLY

Static stretching decreases muscle tension and increases muscle relaxation making it an ideal as a cool-down activity. Also, gentle stretching slows your racing heart at a gradual pace which puts less stress on your heart.

Your body goes back to normal better when you perform cooldown stretches.

Vocabulary. Basic Stretching Exercises.