Simple Stretching Exercises Help Prep For Physical Activity

Whether you are getting ready for physical activity, an exercise regimen or to participate in an active sport, simple stretching exercises should be part of your routine to help prevent injury to muscles and other soft tissue. Any program designed to help stretch before activity should not be complicated for two reasons. First, it is not necessary to be too complex and second, the simpler they are, the better chance they will be done consistently.

For most individuals, they understand the importance of stretching but any number of reasons fail to do so. Some may think that if they are not planning any physical activity, there is no reason to perform any simple stretching exercises before they start their day. Observing most pets will show they stretch whenever they get up and several times as the day goes on. They are not told to do this, they do it out of instinct. Unfortunately, for humans stretching is not an instinct and must become a part of their daily routine, more so than just a habit.

There are some simple stretching exercises that can be done in just a few minutes, and even if no other exercise program is in use, can help loosen the muscles helping to prevent injuries throughout their daily routine.

Think About The Kids When Stretching

Many parents, especially those who work in offices, rarely perform simple stretching exercises and it can cost them time with their children. Consider when the kids are little and the parent greets them by picking them up when they get home from work. Lifting them is usually not a problem when they are small, but they will get bigger and heavier and one day, there is a good chance of pulling a back muscle while sampling picking up the child.

By using simple stretching exercises to help loosen and strengthen the lower back muscles can help prevent this type of injury. One of the simple stretching exercises that can help prevent lower lumbar pain is to lie flat on the floor with both hands on the floor at the sides. Raise the legs high in the air and take them back over the head as far as possible without causing pain. Do not bounce trying to get to go further as this will almost certainly cause a back muscle pull.

This movement is tough on the back, so it is advised to start slowly and stop if any pain begins to be experienced. Through consistently practicing simple stretching exercises the muscles will eventually become stronger and more resilient resulting is less chances of resulting in damage.