Whether you play a sport or just work out to keep fit, it's always possible to suffer some kind of injury. We've all heard about the important impact of stretching before a workout as a type of warm-up, but not everyone is aware of exactly how it helps. Very few people are also aware of why it's good to stretch after a workout. We at Okto will explain about the impact of stretching and why it's a good idea to incorporate it into your sporting activities.
Stretching before exercise increases your flexibility and range of motion in your joints, which is important to reduce your risk of getting injured. There are two main theories as to why regular stretching improves your abilities. The first is that it literally lengthens your musculature over time and allows you to perform more complex movements while putting less stress on your muscles. The second theory claims that stretching increases the elasticity and mobility of the peripheral nerves, which in turn allows you to perform movements at a greater volume without experiencing pain.
On the other hand, stretching after a workout allows your body to gradually come off the load instead of ending it abruptly and creating more stress on your cardiovascular system. Another positive impact of stretching after exercise is improved blood circulation. It is a well-known fact that the blood flow to the musculature is reduced during stretching exercises, but after stopping them - the blood flow increases significantly compared to the starting position. This aids and speeds up the recovery of the musculature and reduces the intensity of muscle soreness. Another effect caused by the influence of stretching is the effect it has on the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the thing that causes the body to relax and continue in optimal mode of operation.
As already mentioned stretching exercises have an undeniable positive effect on the muscles, the tissues around them and the body as a whole. Our advice to you - don't skip this part of the workout so you can continue with your favorite sports activities and reduce the risk of injury!
