Performing stretches is important both before and after exercise to help with injury prevention as well as maintaining general flexibility and mobility throughout your body.
They are an important element of your warm up combined with a low to moderate intensity bout of jogging or cycling to help prepare your muscles for exercise and reduce the risk of injury particularly for high intensity exercise.
As part of your cool down following exercise, stretches aid the recovery process to help reduce post exercise soreness and preparation for subsequent exercise bouts.
Performing regular daily stretching will help maintain your body’s flexibility, mobility and general well-being. This could consist of just 10 minutes once-twice a day.
Holding stretches for 30-45 seconds is generally recommended, but you can hold for up to 1 minute, ensuring you feel the stretch sensation and not any pain.
For further advice on stretching and any specific needs given your sport or injury history, come and see us at Mount Lawley Physiotherapy and Podiatry.
