Warm Ups

... Warm Ups Always remember the reason for warming up the body... * To prevent injury * To prepare the body and mind for exercise * To improve performance Therefore the warm up should be a gentle progression of activity. The body is like a car... it must build up speed gently before it reaches its full potential. There are 4 phases to warm up: * Mobility exercises to prepare joints * Pulse-raising activities to prepare the heart, lungs and blood vessels for activities * Short static stretches * Activity related movements to prepare the 'brain body' link. Phase 1 - Mobility Exercises Mobility exercises move the joints. This helps warm and circulate the lubricating fluid within the joints and helps to give freer movements of the joints. This lubricating fluid allows the ends of the bones to slide smoothly and absorbs shocks. Mobility exercises must be controlled, continuous and smooth. Avoid jerky or flinging movements. A warm up should mobilise all the joints

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