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Whether you have stayed active throughout the winter months or are trying to
get back into the rhythm of things, there are a few important steps
to take before engaging in any physical activity. According to Justin
Cooper, a physical therapist with Harborview Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy
in Baltimore, warming up and stretching your core muscles is a great way to avoid
injury.
Warming up is vital because it increases blood
flow to the muscles and helps prevent injuries from occurring. Stretching
on a regular basis — even when you are not participating
in
sports or physical activity — is crucial in terms of preventing injuries.
Holding each movement for 30 seconds allows you to stretch out your soft tissues
and
increases
your range of motion.
Strengthening the core muscles is another important step. Using warm-up tools,
such as the “swing-bat,” forces
you to gauge your deep core muscles. This, in turn, helps you work towards
performing at your optimal level.