This section is for all sports people. The general warm-up is divided into two parts:
1. joint rotations
2. aerobic activity
These two activities should be performed in the order specified above.
1. Joint Rotations
Focus Question: Why is synovial fluid important?
Whilst I will be giving specific exercises later in this article on joint rotation exercises, here I want you to understand that stretching itself is not a warm-up but part of a warm-up routine which includes several other things.
Western Hemisphere Joint Rotation Exercises
Focus Questions:
1. Where should you do your warm up?
2. Why is keeping warm important?
You've got changed and got your kit on, happy and ready to begin. Is this a race? No it isn't. At this stage you want to enjoy yourself more than prove yourself against the clock or others.
Right, find some space in your bedroom or lounge. If you warm up outside, keep your full track suit on until you start running/playing your sport.
Before each run, game or training session the following five exercises are recommended - please do them right now!
Oriental Joint Rotation Exercises
Focus Questions:
Why did a Chinese general invent these eight exercises?
It is believed that a Chinese general invented this series of exercises in the 12th century. This series is designed to stretch and clear the internal energy pathways. As movements, they are excellent for developing flexibility and strengthening muscle groups that are important for proper posture.
Conclusion
You should now be able to answer the following questions:
Why do you need to be flexible and so to warm up before your physical effort, be that effort running or a different sport such as tennis, soccer, basketball and so on.
Why the first part of your warm up routine is composed of a series of joint rotation exercises such as those described above.
How the concentration of Western Hemisphere sports books on the science and practice of these exercises contrasts with an oriental exercise routine which incorporates more of the human spirit.
Consequently, how it feels to do the oriental exercise routines from Ti Chi and whether or not you experience any stress relief through relaxation and meditation during these exercises.
Next Article
Ti chi represents a link between flexibility and mobility on the one hand, and strengthening exercises through isometric effort. Strengthening in itself is important to sportsmen, but can also be incorporated into circuit training too.
