Articles
Stretching
Sunday 6th April 2008
As well as Pilates being an excellent way to strengthen core muscles and help postural problems, classes also include stretches which I feel are important not just for athletes but for everyone. Due mostly to our lifestyles we tend to have muscular imbalances , weaker muscles that need to be strengthened and tighter ones that need to be lengthened. Tight muscles can be responsible for postural problems eg tight hamstrings can affect the position of the pelvis and cause back problems. Tight muscles are also more susceptible to tearing and injury. If you participate in any form of exercise it is always worthwhile to stretch out and lengthen muscle fibres afterwards. During work muscles contract/shorten which is why this is important.
In some people the cause of poor flexibility may be genetic , and in general children and women are more flexible than men. Too often people dont bother to stretch out properly, however in the long term this may cause problems that could have been avoided by taking the time to stretch out after a workout.
The other problem is perhaps rushing through stretches 20-30 secs per muscle is recommended.... longer if you have the time. It is also possible to overstretch , if you force or "bounce" while stretching you can cause "stretch reflex" to kick in which is the muscle's way to protect itself being overstretched and damaged and actually causes the muscle to contract/tighten. Take time and relax as you are stretching, you should feel a gentle stretch but it should not be painful.
So whatever your sport or method of exercise is take time at the end while your muscles are still warm to lengthen and relax them ,it may help you improve your performance and avoid injury
L :)