Many people often skip warming up before or cooling down after playing sports or exercising. People are typically eager to get going or are looking to get the exercise over to move on with their day, which is a mistake. Warming up and cooling down both play an essential role in any physical activity and can help prevent injury and reduce strain on muscles. NYS Physical Therapy Telehealth at First Health PT can provide you with tips for warming up and cooling down your body during physical activity.
Warming Up
The two main reasons for doing warm-up exercises are to enhance performance and prevent injury. Warming up can help get your body and muscles ready for physical activity. Warm-ups can either be sport specific or broad and should last about 5 to 10 minutes. Warming up all major muscles will benefit you the most. Typically warm-ups include a form of cardio and range of motion exercises. Starting slow and then picking up the pace brings you the best results and is best for your body to ease into the activity. The gradual increase in heart rate and blood flow will help keep you safe and prepare you for any activity. Some of the benefits of warm-ups include:
- Increased flexibility
- Lower risk of injury
- Increased blood flow and oxygen
- Improved performance
- Better range of motion
- Less muscle tension and pain
Once you are warmed up, your body will be ready for physical activity. Going to NYS Physical Therapy Telehealth can help teach you the most effective warm-ups for your favorite activities to keep yourself safe and healthy.
Cooling Down
It is just as important to let your body cool down after physical activity as warm-ups are. Performing cool-down exercises will allow your body to return to its normal state healthily and safely. NYS Physical Therapy Telehealth, recommends that you take 10 minutes to perform cool-down exercises and stretches after any physical activity. Adding cool-down exercises to your exercise regime can help give your body a chance to recover and ease back into your everyday routine. Benefits of cool-downs include:
- Increased flexibility
- Prevents muscle cramps
- Prevents faintness
- Improves relaxation
- Reduce stress to your heart
- Reduce your chances of injury
An effective cool-down routine should include stretches and slow movements. The cool-down exercises should also focus on the muscles that you had just exercised to maximize your potential.
NYS Physical Therapy Telehealth at First Health PT
If you received an injury during or after physical activity, it could be because you did not warm-up or cool down your body. If you are experiencing any activity-related injury, seek out NYS Physical Therapy Telehealth. First Health PT goes the extra mile to help you recover from and prevent injuries. Contact us today to learn how we can help you!