Hitting a golf ball or jumping into a vigorous game of tennis without an adequate warm up or stretch increases the risk of injury. But traditional static stretching (stretch-and-hold) helps flexibility but isn't a warm-up in itself.
The solution? Dynamic stretching, which involves compound movements that allow you to stretch and warm up simultaneously – essentially moving the body while you stretch.
"Warm-ups that simulate moves you'll be performing during the workout work best," says Amy Ashmore, PhD, exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise. "The key to using dynamic warm-ups for those with arthritis lies in using a smaller range of motion and staying within your abilities." For example, perform a modified squat (half way) versus a full squat. Try these seven dynamic stretches that can help you warm up before your next workout.
1. Hip Circles: Stand on one leg, using a countertop for support, and gently swing the opposite leg in circles out to the side. Perform 20 circles in each direction. Switch legs. Progressively increase the size of the circles as you become more flexible.
2. Arm Circles: Stand with feet shoulder width apart and hold arms out to the sides, palms down, at shoulder height. Gently perform 20 circles in each direction. Progressively increase the size of the circles as you become more flexible.
3. Arm Swings: Stand with arms out in front, parallel to the floor, palms facing down. Walk forward as you swing arms in unison to the right so your left arm is in front of your chest and fingers point out to the right. Keep torso and head facing forward – only move at the shoulder joints. Reverse the direction of the swing (as you keep walking) to the opposite side. Repeat 5 times on each side.
4. High-Stepping: Stand with feet parallel to each other and at shoulder-width apart. Step forward with the left leg and raise the right knee high up toward your chest (use a wall for balance, if needed) and use both hands (or one, if using the other for balance) to pull the knee up further. Pause and bring right leg back down; repeat with the other side and continue "high-stepping" 5 times on each leg as you walk forward.
5. Heel-to-Toe Walk: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and take a small step forward by placing the heel of the right foot on the ground and rolling forward onto the ball of your foot, rising as high as possible (as if standing on tip-toe), while bringing the left foot forward and stepping in the same heel-to-toe roll. Repeat 5 times on each leg.
6. Lunge with a Twist: Stand with feet parallel to each other and take an exaggerated step forward (keep one hand on a wall for balance, if needed) with your right foot, planting it fully on the floor in front of you, allowing the knee and hip to bend slowly; keep torso upright. Keep right knee directly over ankle – do not allow it to pitch forward over your foot. Slightly flex your left knee as you lower it towards the ground until it is a couple inches above the floor (or as far as flexibility allows). In this position, reach overhead with your left arm and bending torso towards the right side; return to upright and step forward with the left foot. Repeat for 5 times on each side.
Note: Do not attempt if you have trouble with balance.
7. Step Up and Over: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips (or lightly touching a wall in front of you for balance). Shift weight to your left leg as you lift your right leg until thigh is parallel to the ground and then step out to the side as if stepping over an object; pause and lower into a squat (or half squat). Pushing up through the heels, stand up and return leg to starting position. Repeat 5 times on each side.
here is a video I do to help me warm up and it is very dynamic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWUBnOjaoaI&hd=1
Please send video
Thank you
Beate
yemen: 6Mar.2011
We are not professional. It's hard to imagine what you mean.:-(
It would be more helpful if a video presentation is there. Otherwise if these are not followed correctly sometimes the result might worsened the situation.
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