Stretching for Improved Athletic Performance

Stretching is a form of physical exercise that increase flexibility and range of motion, improves physical performance, helps maintain youthful muscle, and reduces injury risks to athletes. A youthful flexibility helps maintain a high activity level and high metabolism. High metabolism extends life. If you stay active aerobically and use stretching to maintain your flexibility, you will look and feel younger because of the way you move.

Benefits of stretching include:

• enhanced physical fitness
• enhanced ability to learn and perform skilled movements
• increased mental and physical relaxation
• enhanced development of body awareness
• reduced risk of injury to joints, muscles, and tendons
• reduced muscular soreness
• reduced muscular tension
• increased suppleness due to stimulation of the production of chemicals which lubricate connective tissues
• reduced severity of painful menstruation in females
  
  
  

			6 Best Ways to Stretching
		Take the desired joint to the end of its range of motion. Then gently continue that limb further through the range of motion, until there is slight discomfort, not pain. Hold this position for 30+ seconds. Repeat 3 times. Stretching should be smooth and slow, avoid stretches where bouncing is involved. As cycling is a full body sport, therefore stretch lower legs, upper legs, torso, arms, shoulders and neck. Stretching will it increase flexibility and reduce risk of soreness.

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