Stretching is important in swimming because it increases flexibility and mobility, which improves performance. It also helps prevent injury.
Stretching is important in other sports, too!
In fact, stretching is so important that many coaches recommend that swimmers practice it every day before heading out to the pool or gym to swim or play their sport of choice. If you’re not doing this already, consider adding stretching into your routine today!
But it's also something that not everyone does, and it could be more widely adopted by other athletes. So why should you stretch? Here are a few reasons:
1) It helps increase flexibility, which leads to better performance in the pool or on the field/court.
2) It helps prevent injuries by increasing circulation and reducing muscle soreness/fatigue, so you can keep going without getting hurt too easily! (And if you do get hurt, stretching can help with that too.)
3) It helps reduce stress levels—especially among people who are prone to anxiety or depression!
4) It's good for your overall health and well-being.
5) It can help you relax.
6) Stretching also helps improve posture, which is great if you have back problems/pain or are concerned about looking slouched over when taking pictures of yourself.
7) It can help you sleep better.
8) Stretching is also good for your muscles, tendons/ligaments, and bones.
9) It improves circulation and blood flow to the brain (which is especially important if you have migraines or headaches).
10) If you have any injuries that need time to heal (like a sprained ankle), stretching can help speed up the process of recovery!
Stretching is especially important before you begin a workout or competition because it helps warm up your muscles and prepare them for activity. You should stretch before every training session or practice, as well as before any competitions or events where you'll be using your body's muscles extensively.
There are many types of stretching, but here are the five most common:
1) Static stretching: This type of stretching involves holding a stretch for a specific amount of time. For example, you could stand on one foot (in front of a wall for balance if necessary) and then bend over to touch your toes as far as possible with each arm. Hold that position for about 30 seconds before switching sides.
2) Dynamic Stretching: which is stretching performed throughout the fullest range of motion. It can be broken down into two categories: ballistic dynamic stretching and active dynamic stretching. Active dynamic stretching is considered better for preventing injuries to muscles and surrounding joint tissues.
3) Active stretching: This is when any time an opposing muscle group contracts to increase the stretch. For example, to stretch the hamstring, you may straighten your leg with the quadriceps to release tension in the hamstring and allow for stretch.
4) Passive stretching: This is when any time an outside force is applied to muscles to change range of motion. When you drop your heel down of the curb to stretch your calf muscles, that is an example of passive stretching. You allow the weight of your body and gravity to increase the stretch of the muscles.
5) the last one isn't done a lot but Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation: is considered the stretch, contract, stretch system. Using the joint, the neuromuscular system activates by contracting the muscle. It then allows the muscle to fully relax and thus be fully stretched. In this instance, one would passively stretch the hamstring by lifting the leg. Next, one would contract the hamstring against resistance held for a few seconds, and immediately stretch the hamstring to allow a deeper stretch. It feels like the muscle “lets go” and allows full stretch. PNF stretching has been proven to improve active and passive range of motion.
More information on stretching can be found here.
Comments