The Importance Of Stretching After Working Out
Recently, there has been a lot of speculation as to whether stretching after a workout is, in fact, beneficial or not. Some even say that it might do more harm than good. However, studies have shown that stretching after exercising can be very beneficial in more ways than one. However, it’s been found that stretching should be done after you’ve warmed up to prevent injury. For this reason, the best time to stretch is after working out. So why should you stretch on a regular basis?
Strengthen Connective Tissue
Between each joint in the body, there is connective tissue keeping it together. Over time, it can wear down without enough use. Stretching prevents that to a certain degree. By using those muscles surrounding the joints and stretching them well, you will be strengthening the connective tissue in the joints. On top of that, increasing flexibility through stretching will also improve joint health.
Improve Range Of Motion
When you don’t stretch the muscles, they tend to stay constricted. This can prevent you from using their full capacity. By using your muscles and stretching them after a workout, you’ll be able to utilize the same muscles towards a greater range of motion.
Improve Posture
It’s common to have muscle imbalances. This problem can often lead to a person having poor posture. A study has found that a combination of strength training and stretching specific muscle groups can encourage proper alignment in the spine. Of course, this can lead to better posture overall.
Improve Blood Flow
Exercising gets the body to pump blood faster to the heart, causing it to beat faster. Stretching allows the body to cool down and help the heartbeat to return to normal. What this does is cause the blood flow to the muscles to go back to normal.
