Most athletes are aware that they should regularly perform stretching exercise to prevent injury and maintain good health. Athletes should stretch before exercising or playing a game and after exercising or playing a game. But what are the benefits of stretching? Is it really that important? Temecula chiropractor Nathen Horst reviews some of the benefits of stretching for athletes.

• Reduced muscle tension – By far, one of the biggest benefits of stretching for athletes is reduced muscle tension. This enables the individual to be more agile and effective while playing. When there is reduced muscle tension, athletes will be able to play longer and harder.
• Increased flexibility and range of motion in the joints – Most sports require good flexibility and range of motion. Stretching can improve flexibility and range of motion. In addition, it can reduce the chance of injury. Loose muscles that have not been stretched prior to activity are more likely to suffer tears, sprains, dislocations, and fractures.
• Enhanced muscular coordination – Stretching can make an athlete more coordinated. By stretching out the muscles, the person has much greater control over them, allowing him or her to use them more effectively. Enhanced coordination is helpful for just about every sport. This is one of the most important reasons for athletes to stretch.
• Increased blood circulation – How fast an athlete can move and how responsive his or her body is relies largely on circulation. How long a person can play before becoming fatigued also depends on circulation. Stretching helps to improve blood circulation, ensuring that blood can carry more oxygen to the muscles, energizing them.
• Increased energy levels – By enhancing blood flow, especially to the extremities, stretching increases energy. More oxygen being carried faster throughout the body results in less fatigue. If athletes want more energy during games, they should spend time stretching each muscle before playing.
• Helps ensure correct posture – Having proper posture while playing a sport, running, or participating in other physical activity is necessary to protect the body from injury. Stretching can improve posture, especially when stretching exercises are completed daily.
• Reduces muscle soreness – Stretching before and after physical activity can prevent soreness. Soreness is caused by a buildup of lactic acid in the muscles, which is a byproduct of using energy. Stretching increases blood flow to clear away that lactic acid.
• Helps speed recovery from muscle and joint injuries – Stretching can help a person recover from injuries, especially if it is done in the right way. Athletes should ask their doctor or coach the proper way to stretch to prevent injuries.
• Reduced stress – When an athlete feels stress, tension starts to build up in the muscles. Stretching relieves that tension and, in conjunction, stress.

For more information about the benefits of stretching, patients can contact Horst Chiropractic in Temecula today. Any of our staff members will be happy to help make an appointment, or answer any questions about upcoming appointments.