Whether you’re at a track meet or a wrestling match, it’s important to follow a stretching routine before you participate in any type of physical activity. This involves a series of light exercises that slowly increase your heart rate and facilitate blood flow to the muscles, aided by specialized sports equipment such as rollers and resistance bands. Read on to learn more about the importance of stretching before sporting events.

Reduces the Risk of Injury

Warming up with a series of stretches before a sporting event increases blood circulation and muscle temperature to get your body ready for rigorous activity. You can also utilize sports equipment, such as a foam roller, to help massage the muscles. Attempting intense physical exercise without stretching increases the risk of muscle strain or even a severe injury such as a muscle rupture or tear.

Increases Range of Motion

Stretching can improve flexibility and increase your range of motion. For example, if you have tight hamstrings, performing a variety of static stretches for the back of your legs and lower back will help loosen and lengthen your muscles, thus allowing you more range with your movements. This also slows down the degeneration of your joints.

Improves Performance

Stretching your muscles before your competition will help improve your performance. If you attempt physical exercise when your muscles are cold, your range of motion will be limited, and it may take time before you can compete at your normal performance level. Pre-workout stretches also prevent your muscles from tightening after the workout, which is important if you are competing in back-to-back tournaments.

When you need to purchase sports equipment or athletic apparel, stop into Sports & Sports, the premier sporting goods company in Ashtabula, OH. The 12,000-square-foot retail store offers an extensive inventory of custom sportswear, licensed merchandise and sports equipment from quality brands at affordable prices. Call (440) 998-4664 today to speak with a friendly store associate. You can also visit their website for more information about business hours or to browse their online catalog of merchandise.