Health Tip: Stretch Before and After Exercise: MedlinePlus

Health Tip: Stretch Before and After Exercise: MedlinePlus


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Health Tip: Stretch Before and After Exercise

But do it gently

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_135239.html

 (*this news item will not be available after 06/23/2013)

By Diana Kohnle

Monday, March 25, 2013

Related MedlinePlus Page

• Sports Fitness

(HealthDay News) -- Proper stretching can help reduce the risk of injury and improve your workouts.
The Women's Heart Foundation offers these suggestions for proper stretching:

• Gently and slowly stretch for at least five to seven minutes before aerobic exercise.
• Make sure your stretching motions are relaxed and slow.
• Never bounce when stretching, which can cause you to pull a muscle.
• Don't push too hard; stretch until you feel mild tension in the muscle but never to the point of pain.
• Without bouncing, hold each stretch for at least 15 seconds while breathing naturally. Take a break and repeat.
• Perform cool-down stretches for at least five to seven minutes after aerobic exercise.

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