subject: Improving Flexibility To Maximize Sports Fitness Training [print this page] Improving Flexibility To Maximize Sports Fitness Training
Athletes have to focus on a lot of things like nutrition, rest, speed training or strength training to improve their sports fitness training. Flexibility is one area that is often overlooked in an athletes training program.
Flexibility allows an athlete to do workouts in various positions without the fear of injury. Flexibility allows a person to jump higher or run faster or for longer periods without injury. Therefore, it is essential for an athlete to develop his flexibility to keep training for more years and prevent injuries.
Inflexibility is most common with the muscles connected to the hip area, the chest and shoulder rotator muscles. Inflexibility may arise due to a combination of poor posture, improper workouts and some genetics. Below, I am going to discuss some great stretching exercises that will help loosen these muscles.
Regular stretching exercises improve the posture and prevent injury. With the improvement in posture, we will use less energy for our day to day activities. These stretching exercises also help relieve stress from the tight muscles. Relieving stress from the tight muscles calms down the body and allows the person to relax.
There are different methods for stretching. Some of the methods for stretching are dynamic stretching, static stretching and P.N.F. Each of them has its own benefits which can help an athlete improve their sports fitness training.
Dynamic stretching is the method used by athletes warming up before competition. In this method athletes move the body through various motions to stretch certain muscles of the body.
Static stretching is generally used after a workout or at night before bed. Static stretching can also be used before or during a dynamic stretch routine. Static stretching is done by sitting still while stretching a muscle.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a form of stretching that combines static stretches with isometric muscle contractions. During PNF an athlete stretches the muscle to a certain point, then contracts the muscle, relaxes and then tries to stretch further.
I would advise you to get in touch with someone who can guide you to improve your flexibility. We also have great flexibility routines and exercises in our online training program.
