Active stretching is beneficial because it can help to loosen joints, prevent injury, increase recovery time, activate muscle groups, and help to relax the mind and body. Static and dynamic stretches are two different types of stretching. Understanding the difference between the two types of stretching will help you determine which type is best for you to practice.
Dynamic stretching is best performed before a workout. It helps to loosen joints and eases joint pain. It also fires up the muscles, warming them up for peak performance. Dynamic stretching has many different modifications that you can use to personalize the stretch to your specific need or concern.
Static stretching is often used after a workout and in other activities such as yoga. Static stretching involves deep stretches that are held for a period of time. Static stretching should be performed with great care so that injury from over straining does not occur. Static stretching before a workout can sometimes undermine the power and movements of your workout. Stretching after training can help to relieve tired legs by helping to release lactic acid buildup in the muscles. It can also help to speed up recovery time.
If you still feel unsure about which are the best stretching exercises for you to do, you can go to your local gym or health club to speak with a flexibility specialist. A flexibility specialist can help create a flexibility training routine and design it in such a way that it is beneficial to your sport.
Flexibility training includes both dynamic and static stretching. Both types of stretching can be beneficial to your sport when individually tailored to you.
Stretching can provide many benefits such as: improved flexibility, better mobility of joints, better protected joints, decrease in soreness after a hard run, and a reduction in muscles soreness after lifting weights.
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