Are you using the best kind of stretching exercises to meet the needs of your body and your sport? Dynamic stretching is effective for sports that require power, acceleration and movement.
Start with a warm-up
Warming up your muscles generates more energy and force, and improves your ability to react. It also helps prevent injuries. Warm up with an aerobic activity that makes you sweat, such as walking, jogging, riding an exercise bike or using an elliptical machine.
Dynamic stretching exercises
The best program works every part of your body. Try these exercises to stretch from head to toe.
Leg swings
Start by standing on one leg, and swing the other leg forward and back. Use small swings that progress into larger swings as tolerated. Then switch to side-to-side leg swings. This stretches the calf, quadriceps, hamstrings and groin muscle. It also prepares your ankles and feet for the coming activities.
