Warm Up and Cool Down

• What does “Warm Up” mean ?

  
  

  To prepare the body for physical activity or exertion​
• Why is warm up important ?​

  • Prepare the muscles for vigorous action​
  • Increases heart rate and blood circulation​
  • To stretch and loosen up muscles and joints​
  • To mentally prepare the individual (focus and concentration on the task at hand)​
  • To achieve optimal performance​
  • TO PREVENT INJURIES 
• What does “Cool Down” mean?

  To gradually transition the body back to or near its resting state.
• Why is cool down important?​

  • To bring heart rate and body temperature back to a normal resting state​
  • To prevent muscle soreness and pain 
• Stretching​

  • There are many types of stretching ​
  • When taking part of in physical activity we deal with two types; Dynamic and Static stretching
• Dynamic Stretching – for warm up​

  •  Involves moving parts of your body and gradually increasing reach, speed of movement, or both.​

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  • The desired type of stretching people should do prior to exercise as it increases range of motion and blood flow simultaneously, helping to prepare the muscles for physical activity
• Static Stretching – for cool down

  •  Stretching a muscle (or group of muscles) to its farthest point and then maintaining or holding that position​
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  • Static stretching doesn’t increase heart rate or blood flow, it actually helps to slow heart rate which is why it is good for a post-exercise routine.