The Importance of Warm Ups
The other day I was watching the neighborhood kids getting ready for a pick-up baseball game. Suddenly, one shouted, "Time to warm up!" The boys dropped their gear and began a series of synchronized stretching exercises. I was amazed. Later that evening, I asked my son about it. He told me that his summer baseball coach stressed the importance of always warming up your muscles before playing any sport.
Sure enough, I'll hear the call of the warm up before bike rides and games of HORSE at the basketball hoop. It's something these kids have taken seriously. Should they?
According to an article in the November 1997 issue of Coaching Youth Sports, it states that "exercises that develop flexibility of the muscles will reduce the risk of injury by preventing the muscles from fatiguing easily. Warm-ups and stretching before each competition or practice increase the muscle temperature, making muscles more elastic and flexible."
Considering that the games in our backyard (called Poremba Field in the neighborhood) are rougher and harder played than any game these kids have played in organized sports, I'd say they have the right idea. However, it is not always an idea that spreads to coaches of organized sports. Often, coaches are too rushed or players late to ensure a proper warm up. Therefore, it is up to the parents to make sure that their athlete has well-stretched muscles and is limber to be able to play well and to play safe. Flexible muscles can decrease the risk of injury.
There are web sites that provide warm up exercises. I recommend that you print out your favorite exercises and hang a copy near the area where you store your sports equipment. Until it is a habit, the printout will serve as a reminder to not forget the warm ups!
Some web sites with warm up exercises:
Martial Arts Warm Up Exercises
Stretching Exercises
Go To Page:
1
Latest Articles