The latissimus dorsi are the largest muscles in your back and are below your right and left shoulder blades. These muscles run from the shoulder blades down to the small of your back and are used for rotation and extensions of ...
Rugby involves a large amount of running and kicking, so leg strength is an important aspect of this sport. However, rugby also involves tackling, which requires arm strength. Chin-ups are an effective way to increase arm muscl...
The supraspinatus is one of four muscles that makes up the rotator cuff -- a group of muscles and tendons that assist in shoulder movement. A supraspinatus sprain occurs when this muscle is torn or stretched. In 2006, more than...
...oup primarily functions to extend your leg for walking and running, but they also aid in hip flexion. Excessive running and cycling can result in tight quadriceps, which you can alleviate with proper Stretching. Stretching y...
stretching your muscles increases their flexibility and might help improve your exercise performance. stretching also might help reduce your risk of injury. Not all stretching is good for your muscles, though. Forcing your musc...
The popliteus tendon runs from the back of your thigh and down to the back of your knee, then wraps around to the front of your shin. The main function of this tendon is to keep your knee in line with the upper and lower portio...
Lower back pain can stem from your spine and the sacroiliac joint that connects the bottom of your spine with your pelvis. At its most painful, your back can feel locked in place, as if it won’t rotate easily from your ri...
Jump Stretch is a company manufacturing and marketing resistance bands that provide an effective and safe method to work out. The company was established in 1980 by former high school coach Dick Hartzell. In addition to being u...
stretching helps keep your muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments strong and flexible, which can help protect your health in the long term. Regular stretching may also benefit the health of your brain. There are numerous reasons...
Ligaments are connective bands of tissue. Joints in your body may have one or more ligaments, depending on its size. Ligaments also join bone ends to each other, as well as muscles within joints. Ligaments are fibrous, thick t...
Gently stretching your achy joints helps reduce pain and joint stiffness, improves flexibility and enhances overall functioning throughout the day and needs to be included as part of a well-rounded workout routine. Remember to ...
... combining to make it possible to move your neck, shoulder blade and back. Remember to use proper form plus gentle and slow movements to prevent injury. Consult with your doctor first because not all stretches may be appropr...
...scia, which is a broad ligament that runs from your heels to your toes. Repeated stress and shock to this area can cause pain, inflammation and damage called plantar fasciitis. Regular exercises that stretch the soles of you...
...me tight and short, making it difficult to stand comfortably in flat feet. You might also experience cramping in your calves from overly tight muscles. You can relieve that tightness with simple calf stretches using a bolste...
If you suffer from pain in your heel area, stretching is one of the most important things you can do. The more positions you use to stretch your heel cord and calves, the more flexible they will become and the more relief you w...
...bilization and shoulder support. Frequently utilized in many different, dynamic motions, the supraspinatus is vulnerable to injuries such as tears and tendonitis. Performing appropriate supraspinatus stretching exercises pri...
Sacrum stretching feels relaxing after a long day of sitting at a desk. Your sacrum is a shield-shaped bone at the bottom of your spine, and stretching sacrum area muscles helps release tension from your pelvis and low back. If...
Your shins refer to a group of muscles and tissues in the front part of your lower leg. They work with other muscles in your legs and feet to flex and extend your feet and knees. Stretching your shin can alleviate stress and te...
For some people, such as highly-conditioned athletes, basic quadriceps stretches are not enough to provide their muscles with the necessary stretch and loosening effects needed at their fitness levels. In these situations, adva...
Flexibility is vital to a gymnast's performance. Even beginner gymnasts need to stretch daily to improve flexibility. After five to 10 minutes of cardiovascular exercise to warm up your muscles, perform this static stretching r...
...le fibers retract your shoulder blades, and the lower fibers pull your shoulder blades down. Chronic tightness, especially in the upper fibers, can lead to headaches, neck pain and neck stiffness. To stretch the trapezius pr...
...computer for long periods with your arms and wrists in an awkward position can cause tension in your forearm muscles and over time could lead to a repetitive stress injury. Performing simple extensor stretches several times ...
...the biceps. They isolate the muscles by focusing the concentration of the movement on the biceps, which puts great strain on the muscles. To keep your biceps from cramping or becoming extremely sore, stretch them before, dur...
Stretching is a very important but often overlooked aspect of any physical training plan. Your muscles can become tight after training sessions or because of the way you naturally sit and stand. Many people find the pectorals, ...
...durance training. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children need to move their bodies through a full range of motion without injury, and the best way to achieve this flexibility is by stretching. Children sho...
...cessary for sport performance and function, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. While flexibility is important for everyone, men tend to have less flexibility than women and need to stretch regularly to mai...
...tes your legs puts wear and tear on your soleus muscles. Even many everyday activities, such as simply walking or climbing a flight of stairs, will put your soleus muscles to work. To achieve a deep stretch of your soleus m...
...on and forearm supination. Elbow inflexion is the bending of your arm to move your forearm up toward your shoulder. Supination is the action of moving your arm from a palms-down to palms-up position. Stretching the biceps ca...
... thigh and they consist of the adductor brevis, magnus and longus. The abductors consist of the gluteus maximus, medius and minimus, and tensor fascia latae -- a small muscle on the side of the hips. Stretching these muscles...
Any exercise program that includes training the biceps must also include stretching them. stretching your biceps can prevent injuries that would sideline your strength training plan. The best biceps stretch will isolate the mus...
Preventing a rotator cuff injury with proper stretching of the area is much easier than rehabilitating from an injury. If you participate in a sport like baseball that calls upon your rotator cuff a lot, you need a focused appr...
...ing in this muscle, particularly if you have weak arches. To observe it in your own body, contract it by curling the toes downward and running your finger along the inside bottom of your foot. A full stretch of the abductor ...
On the front of each thigh, you have a set of four large muscles called the quadriceps that contract to straighten your leg and stretch when you bend your knee. If you keep these muscles healthy through exercise and careful str...
stretching the stomach muscles, also known as the abdominal muscles, provides several benefits, including a stronger core and better flexibility. A full stomach stretch that targets the upper, lower and oblique abdominal muscle...
Active abdominal Stretching refers to moving your abdominal region and your torso in various directions or in one direction repetitively with rhythm and control, says physical therapist Chris Frederick, co-author of "Stretch to...
Many people overlook the importance of stretching. stretching your muscles helps to keep them supple as you grow, can give you better flexibility and can even help you avoid injuries. Adults and children should include stretchi...
The effects of an effective hip and glute stretch are far-reaching and beneficial in a variety of areas, such as increased range of motion, flexibility and a stronger core. Your body's core, which consists of the abdominal, bac...
You may have seen gymnasts stretch their bodies into improbable shapes, but these moves could be a pathway to injury for a beginner. To experience the benefits of stretching -- increased flexibility, injury prevention and enhan...
...and external rotation of hip joint. Constant exercises that repetitively move your hip joints, such as running or dancing, can overwork this muscle and its surrounding muscles and tissues. Therefore, stretching your hips and...
...quires extensive flexibility. Whether you are a base who is lifting or tossing other cheerleaders into the air or the top person executing daunting feats of flexibility at the top of the stunt, daily stretching helps you per...
...ne example of the gluteus medius in action is when your step sideways. Inactivity and other factors may cause your gluteus medius to tighten up, which leaves you vulnerable to injury. Perform regular stretches to keep all yo...
Kids often run, jump and kick with ease. Children are generally flexible, but stretching is still important. According to Bodybuilding.com, stretching is important at any age, but especially with children because "their muscles...
... a tackle gone awry, a bad landing after jumping to catch a pass or a rolled ankle as you race down the field. Develop proper flexibility to avoid the preventable injuries, incorporating both warm-up stretching and daily str...
The head-to-toe stretch means flexing your spine forward to bring your head closer to your legs. This is a common pose in yoga that induces relaxation in your spine and hips. You can perform this exercise as part of your daily ...
stretching can be an oft-forgotten part of an exercise program because it may be viewed as little more than time-consuming. However, stretching is an important element of a well-rounded workout regime, according to the Mayo Cli...
...high, flexible arches. Dancers subject their arches to tremendous pressure; they must be sufficiently pliable to absorb the shock of endless jumps and work en pointe. While it is wise to include arch stretches in your overal...
stretching is a valuable component in any fitness program. It helps you improve your flexibility and range of motion and can also help improve your performance and prevent injury. Daily stretching also relieves tension stored i...
By definition, stretching is movement of a joint or muscle to full extension by lengthening the tissues. The affects and benefits of stretching are numerous. They include everything from increased range of motion and enhanced w...
Flexibility training should be a regular part of your fitness plan. Daily stretching can help you increase your flexibility, improve your range of motion, prevent injury, and relieve stress. Before doing any type of stretching,...
...ce require extensive flexibility. Improving your flexibility not only leads to a greater range of motion for your muscles, it also relieves stress, improves your performance and even prevents injury. Stretching is also an im...
stretching as part of participation in athletic or fitness activities is standard practice. Healthcare professionals, coaches and personal fitness trainers often advise that stretching has many benefits, including helping to pr...
stretching is often the first thing cut out from an exercise routine. Cut stretching out and you may find yourself with sore muscles the next day as you experience delayed-onset muscle fatigue. stretching allows your muscles to...
...t split. To perform each, you must have the required range of motion in the hip joints, together with considerable flexibility in the lower back, hamstrings and inner thighs. A series of preparatory stretching exercises wil...
..., tingling, burning, pins and needles or the sensation of a leg going to sleep. Lumbar stenosis causes weakness in the legs and decreased endurance. As a result, walking and balance are difficult. Stretching exercises hel...
Warming up and stretching properly before strenuous physical activity is important and can help improve your athletic performance. Rowing is no exception to this. There are a number of warm-up exercises you should perform, foll...
..., known as a middle split. Splits are used in cheerleading, gymnastics, dance and martial arts. They require extensive flexibility to perform. To improve flexibility in your split positions, you must stretch every day.
...m for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. This is a type of flexibility training that is unique in that it requires a partner or an external source of resistance to be performed correctly. PNF stretching involves both...
The trapezius is a large muscle in your upper back, running along either side of your spine. Stretching the trapezius requires lengthening its muscle fibers, which can optimize your flexibility if done correctly, resulting in e...
...hen you breathe. Muscles and tissues above and near the ribcage move your body in different directions. Therefore, you should move your torso with other body parts, such as your hip and shoulders, to stretch your ribcage, re...
...d feet, such as walking, running and jumping, it has a major role in postural orientation or balancing, especially when your eyes are closed. Keeping the heel cord functioning properly can be done by stretching, which can be...
... gut or develop six-pack abs, with exercise sometimes you may feel some discomfort in the abdomen. The burning feeling in your abdomen can occur when you are fatiguing your muscles with exercise. The stretching feeling can h...
Baseball pitchers have two ways to deliver the ball to the plate: the windup and the stretch. The windup is used when the bases are empty, and the stretch comes into play with runners on base. While both motions serve a purpose...
If your ribs are cracking while stretching, pain is likely present as well. A rib fracture, costochondritis and sprain can all result in cracking if the rib cage is stretched. Consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis and tr...
Slight visual disturbances during activity, including stretching, are not usually cause for concern, according to the AllAboutVision.com website. In some cases, however, seeing spots -- often referred to as "seeing stars" -- ca...
Stretch cruiser bicycles have unmistakable characteristics that begin with the frame. The long and low configuration that sets the bike apart from upright cruisers attracts riders who seek the lowrider experience. To the casual...
The heel to butt stretch is flexing your leg so that your heel is close to the foot, stretching your quadriceps and hip flexors. This stretch reduces muscle tightness and hyperactivity, which can reduce your ability to move wel...
In a front split, you stretch one leg out in front of you with its knee pointing up and one leg behind you with its knee against the ground. In a middle split, both of your legs stretch out to the side with both knees pointing ...
... a tendency to suffer direct blows. This is called a corked thigh and it causes bruising, stiffness and discomfort. You might also hear this referred to in slang terms as a Charley horse or dead leg. Stretching the quads is ...
The box splits, otherwise known as the middle splits, are done when both legs are stretched out to the side of you as your torso faces straight forward. Box splits are a skill that dancers, gymnasts, cheerleaders and martial ar...
Sharp pains in your abdomen can be as minor as gastrointestinal gas, or as serious as appendicitis. Movements such as stretching or twisting of your torso and abdomen may aggravate your symptoms. Treatment varies based on the c...
Stretching is an essential part of a healthy routine. Whether you are sedentary or a top athlete, it offers many benefits, including greater flexibility, injury prevention, improved circulation and relaxation. There are various...
The stretch reflex, also called the myotatic reflex, is a protective response to stretching. The body protects the stretched muscle by forcefully contracting it. Certain types of physical training take advantage of the stretch ...
If your ribs hurt while stretching, you've likely experienced a recent traumatic blow to the chest or have been lifting more weight than your muscles can handle. Some rib injuries are potentially life-threatening, since the ri...
If you overstretch or pull back too aggressively on your foot and toes, you can hyperextend your big toe. Hyperextending your big toe can sprain or tear ligaments, causing pain. Rest, ice and elevation of your foot may reduce s...
While the benefits of stretching are often debated, stretching can be a valuable part of your sports or fitness routine. Even if you are not an athlete or fitness buff, stretching your muscles can improve your posture, keep you...
...e muscles of the chest, back, abdomen, legs and arms are used in nearly every event. Because of its heavy emphasis on flexibility, gymnastics requires you to devote a good portion of your training to stretching. Using a vari...
... shin, which is the common name of the anterior part of your lower leg, works with other muscles in your calf and foot to move your ankle in different directions, via flexion, extension and rotation. Stretching your shin can...
...on of the SI joint that connects the sacrum to the pelvis. This causes irritation to the sciatic nerve that extends from the sacrum, through your buttocks, and into your legs. Exercises that move and stretch the SI joint wit...
Flyers perform many types of movements within a stunt. From turning and bending to twisting and contorting, flexibility is important for any flyer. Without a solid stretching routine, you are at risk of injury from muscle tears...
stretching is a crucial, yet often overlooked part of most workout programs. Warm-up stretching is necessary to prevent injury while working out; you should also perform a cool-down to increase flexibility and prevent soreness....
In addition to strong leg muscles and proper technique, stretching before kicking a football will optimize your kicking distance and prevent injury. According to USSoccer.com, the hamstring muscle, or the large muscle on the ba...
Assisted stretching can involve the use of a towel or strap to aid in the stretch, a stability ball, a partner to help deepen the stretch, or even a golf club. The obliques are the abdominal muscles that run diagonally on the s...
Your biceps and quadriceps both have a secret. Although each of these muscles is primarily responsible for a single joint movement -- elbow flexion for the biceps, knee extension for the quadriceps -- they each assist with a se...
Weightlifting, correctly called Olympic weightlifting so as to differentiate between powerlifting, weight training and other strength sports, involves two lifts --- the clean and jerk, and the snatch. Both lifts require athlete...
The front of your thigh is anatomically referred to as your quadriceps. The quadriceps are a group of four muscles that are active in many movements of the lower body and used as a prime mover in almost any sport. If the muscle...
Stretching your spine, and the muscles and fasciae that connect to the spine, alleviates tension and stiffness as well as increasing the space between each vertebra. Physical therapist Christopher Frederick, co-author of "Stret...
stretch your heels to help alleviate pain associated with an injury to the plantar fascia in the bottom of your foot. A tight plantar fascia tendon pulls your heel forward and results in tension in your heels. Also stretch your...
Basketball conditioning requires specific stretching exercises that improve movement patterns, reduce left-right asymmetries and minimize the risk of injuries, according to Vern Gambetta, author of "Athletic Development." These...
Isostatic stretching, also known as isometric stretching, is an effective way to increase flexibility and elongate your muscles. Isostatic stretching combines a simultaneous stretch and contraction of the muscle, but without mo...
Always stretch before a hockey game or practice, as muscle pulls and tears can leave you sidelined for lengthy periods. Warm up before you stretch, as stretching cold muscles can have the opposite effect. You should learn the p...
Round ligament stretching is a common complaint during pregnancy and can be alarming the first time you feel these sharp pains. The pain brought on by your round ligaments stretching is rarely a medical concern and usually invo...
...shock that is transferred from the upper to lower body. Although there is not much range of motion in the SI joint, it is still prone to dysfunction, which can set off pain in the legs or lower back. Stretching can be used i...
...center ring being worth the most points. The sport has a long history worldwide, but can be difficult to master. To develop yours skills and improve at the sport, perform archery drills regularly and stretch before shooting.
No matter what position you play in softball, you'll help prevent injury and ensure your body is warmed up and ready to play by engaging in Stretching exercises. Stretching exercises help increase blood flow to all parts of you...
The rear thighs, more commonly referred to as the hamstrings, play a critical role in posture and locomotion. Many postural problems, including pain in the low back can be traced to tightness in the hamstrings. For example, if ...
Swimmers rely on shoulder stability to stay injury-free. The shoulder joint itself is very mobile but inherently unstable. Freestyle swimming tends to work the posterior part of the shoulder, while backstroke swimming works the...
...hese pillows are found throughout your body, especially near your hip, knee and shoulder joints. Pain from bursitis is difficult to differentiate from pain generated by an inflamed tendon. Therefore, stretches for bursitis s...
Stretching your trapezius muscle, or traps regularly can help reduce neck pain and neck strain, especially if you work at a desk all day. The trapezius extends from the base of your head to the middle portion of your back. It a...
...o injury and deterioration, says Eben Davis, DC, on the Spine-Health website. For this reason, they also are the source of most back pain. It's difficult to target one particular lumbar vertebra with stretching, but there ar...
Nerve stretching reduces tightness in the nerve pathway between muscles and connective tissues, increasing the extensibility of your joints and tissues. It also reduces or eliminates pain and numbness associated with nerve comp...
... span the area between the scapula bones within your upper back and your spine. Both muscles serve the same function: retracting, or pulling back, the scapula bones and elevating their inside edges. Stretching the rhomboids...
...is and biceps attach to your radius, they also act to pronate or supinate your forearm instead of only generating elbow flexion. Despite these differences, the brachialis responds to the same general stretching technique as ...
...d jumps right into the game. Older players especially need to rethink this approach to avoid pulling a too-cold muscle. And coaches work with even the youngest soccer tots to get them in the habit of stretching. Even though ...
Stretching your abdominal muscles increases torso extension that allows you to generate more force when you perform overhead throws, such as in soccer, baseball and judo. It also helps absorb shock in your pelvis and spine when...
Dynamic stretching is moving your joints and muscles in their full range of motion repetitively to increase tissue elasticity and body temperature. It also stimulates neural and muscle activity to better prepare you for the upc...
Sprinters need to have optimal stability and mobility in order to produce power and maintain proper body alignment when they run. Thus, you should perform different types of stretching that improve joint and muscle mobility bef...
Gymnasts use a specific type of stretching and formula for how they stretch. stretching is crucial for gymnasts because without flexibility gymnasts are unable to move through the extended range of motion required by floor work...
...ralis, vastus intermedius and vastus medialis. The quadriceps' primary function is knee extension, or straightening a bent leg, although the rectus femoris also assists with knee flexion. In order to stretch your quadriceps,...
Swimming can be a physically taxing sport that takes the use of all your major muscle groups. By stretching in various ways before training or competing, you help to ready your muscles and ligaments for the motions of the sport...
The exact cause of shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome is still widely debated and therefore treatments vary based on the exact cause of your shin pain. Stretches may help alleviate pain, but are usually combined with...
...re knee injuries. The medial collateral ligament, or MCL, in the knee helps hold your tibia bone in place, and suffering an injury to this location can be painful and make walking difficult. Certain stretches can help you e...
If you're hearing a snapping or popping sound when you stretch your rib cage, it is most likely to be coming from your sternum, or breast bone. Your first seven ribs are connected to your sternum and held in place by ligaments ...
Soccer injuries, particularly commonly seen ones to the hamstrings and knees, may arise from insufficient warmups and stretching. Trainers in pro leagues instruct players on the best ways to stretch to avoid such mishaps. Elite...
...aches to the Achilles tendon in your heel. If you injure your soleus, you're likely to feel pain in your lower calf, according to the Sports Injury Clinic website. Strengthening exercises, as well as stretches, will form an ...
stretching is a commonly overlooked workout component, but it's important for reaching and maintaining a healthy level of flexibility. Consistently stretching your calves will improve their flexibility, but it doesn't provide t...
...larger of the two bones in your lower leg. Because it crosses multiple joints, your gracilis performs multiple actions. It is primarily a hip adductor, but also assists with knee flexion. In order to stretch your gracilis, y...
Stretching the quadriceps muscles, which run along the front of your thigh, is important for anyone, regardless of your activity level. Sitting or standing all day long can contribute as much to quadriceps muscle tightness as ...
... of extended periods of sitting. When muscles are held in one position for long periods, they become tighter and tighter, continuing to contract, even when you don't need them to anymore. Performing stretches for your sacru...
...can affect your low back, hips, knees and feet by tightening your hamstrings. This moves your back out of alignment, which causes you to use upper body muscles differently, creating strain. Effective stretching loosens your ...
...r Physical Rehabilitation notes that problems with this tendon tend to develop in stages, and often are caused by both overuse and aging. While extreme pain may call for more aggressive intervention, stretching that does not...
The wrist extensors are the muscles on the top of your forearm. This group of eight muscles extends your wrist joint, pulling the top of your hand toward your forearm. To stretch your wrist extensor muscles you move your hand i...
The wall bicep stretch targets the two muscles in the upper arm that make up the biceps muscle group. Two variations of the wall bicep stretch require neither equipment nor even much time. stretching improves flexibility, redu...
When making pizza from scratch, the only way to get the perfect, round dough is to stretch it by hand. Those you serve will enjoy the airy crust of a hand-stretched dough versus the dense, crumbly dough of a crust rolled out wi...
...ur shoulder joints and arms. They work with muscles in your chest, back, abdominals, and arms to move your arms in various directions, such as flexion, extension, abduction, depression and elevation. Stretching your scapulae...
... and leg muscles to perform such action. Although abductors are in your thigh, your iliotibial band -- or IT band -- stabilizes your thigh and hip joints to keep them from moving excessively outward. Stretching your abductor...
...uteus minimus muscles, are located behind your hip joints. The first of these muscles facilitates hip extension, and the other two produce hip abduction, which occurs when you spread your legs apart. Stretching the buttocks ...
Flexibility training, or stretching, has been shown to increase joint range of motion, decrease muscular stiffness, prevent injury and enhance strength and performance. Good stretching constitutes any form of flexibility work t...
stretching is essential to your running or walking routine. Strength coach Brian Mac explains that muscle stiffness is directly related to muscle injury, which can be prevented by stretching before movement. stretching enhances...
...h of the foot allows you to absorb shock when you walk and run. When the plantar fascia becomes tight, your body mechanics can be thrown off and pain can appear from the heel all the way to the toes. Stretches for the arches...
...es. According to Foot.com, flat feet are the leading cause of plantar fasciitis, resulting in heel pain, heel spurs and arch pain. Flat feet may also result in pain in the lower leg, ankles and feet. Stretching exercises tha...
Your quadriceps are a group of four muscles in the front of your thigh. They absorb much of the stress you place on the knee and are responsible for straightening your knee and stabilizing your knee cap. Keeping your quads heal...
...sistance applied to an extremity with an initial isometric contraction --- a muscle contraction with no movement --- for a minimum of six seconds followed by a complete relaxation of the muscle being stretched, the American...
A heel stretch is an advanced cheerleading stunt. The top person in this stunt must have excellent flexibility and balance. It is a one-foot stunt that is typically fully extended. This means the top person's entire body is abo...
...ast-paced sport. You must sprint and stop short often as you dart and feint with the ball. Jumping high, landing hard and other strenuous movements tax muscles, ligaments and tendons. Warming up and stretching before you pl...
Your quadriceps are made up of four muscles in the front of your thigh that work together with other leg and hip muscles to move your hips and knees. But the quadriceps can tighten. Stretching can help reduce tightness and impr...
...er thighs are made up of the adductor complex and connective tissues that attach your adductors to your hip flexors, quadriceps, buttocks and hamstrings. You should incorporate other muscle groups to stretch your inner thigh...
... area of the body where this is common is the thigh or quadriceps muscle group. This is because of the involvement of the thigh in most lower body exercises such as squats and lunges. However, proper stretching during and fo...
...ly rotates and abducts the shoulder blade. Abduction is moving away from the midline of the body. Like any muscle, when the serratus anterior is tight it cannot move through its full range of motion. Stretching keeps the ser...
The gracilis is a long, thin muscle that stretches from your pubic symphysis in the groin and inserts in the medial tendon that attaches to your tibia. It works with other leg muscles to flex the hip and knee joints and to move...
...n you are sitting and bring your knees together. The muscle originates in the pubic bone and inserts on the top of the femur. Because sitting for long periods of time can weaken these muscles, a good stretch a few times per ...
Diagnosing and managing medical conditions in women suffering from lower-abdominal pain can be challenging for physicians. If you are experiencing pelvic pain when you cough or stretch, seek medical attention. There are several...
... that well over half of Americans age 18 and older will be diagnosed with arthritis by 2030. Although there is no cure for this disease, there are things you can do right in your home, such as daily stretching, to help keep...
Perhaps the most classical way to stretch the hamstrings is to reach down and touch your toes, either from a seated or standing position. However, when the hamstrings and lower back are tight, connecting the fingers and toes ma...
Stretching helps improve your flexibility. For example, if you've been sitting in the same position for a long time, you may feel hunched over and stiff when you stand up. Performing light stretches, such as making wide circles...
stretching your rectus abdominis, which is the six-pack muscle in the anterior part of your abdominal region, alleviates muscle tension and tightness and improves your posture to some degree. When you stretch, incorporate other...
The quadriceps are the muscles on the anterior, or front, of your thigh. These muscles flex your hip and straighten your knee when you contract them. The opposite movements stretch the quadriceps. When you bend your knee throug...
Much attention is given to the many benefits of stretching and maintaining your body's flexibility. But trying to create a healthier body this way could also present its own set of dangers. Recognizing these dangers and taking ...
Stretching your toes along with other parts of your feet can alleviate and avoid symptoms of some foot and ankle problems, such as plantar fasciitis, which is the inflammation of the tendons and connective tissues in the bottom...
The standing lunge adductor stretch is commonly included in yoga, physical therapy and rehabilitation, athletic training and in personal training sessions across the globe. The Pain Management and Rehabilitation Center includes...
In order for you to achieve optimum fitness, your exercise program must include a stretching component. There are two main stretching techniques, static stretching and dynamic stretching. Static stretching involves applying ten...
stretching is an important part of your regular exercise routine and can improve your level of fitness and help you perform better. When done correctly, stretching should not cause pain or soreness. If you do find that you're s...
Static stretching involves lengthening your muscles through gentle stretches.
Protocol for static stretching includes preparing your muscles for upcoming exercise routines. Including static stretching in your warm-up protocol ...
...ings that works with the other hamstrings, leg and hip muscles to flex and extend the knee and hip joints. It also helps you decelerate the rate at which you move when you squat, walk, run and lunge. Stretching the hamstring...
... your buttocks surround your sciatic nerve and tight or inflamed muscles can aggravate it, causing radiating pain through the buttocks, low back and legs. You can perform several simple exercises to stretch your buttocks area.
... underneath your shoulders known as the rotator cuffs. You use this muscle when brushing your hair, climbing a rope or when throwing a baseball. When this muscle becomes too tight, it risks an inury. Stretching will keep you...
Everyone experiences numbness or the sensation of "pins and needles" in their bodies from time to time. Numbness and tingling are common in your extremities, including your hands and legs, but it can be a particularly uncomfort...
Sore muscles occur for a variety of reasons and often make continuing your weightlifting, tennis or other physical activities challenging or impossible. While stretching throughout the week increases flexibility, lowers your ri...
...rgans and maintain your shape. These tissues include everything from your bones to your muscles. One of the main supporting connective tissue structures are your ligaments, which use their ability to stretch to help provide ...
Following principles of Stretching can help increase your flexibility while helping you avoid Stretching and exercise-related injuries. Stretching lubricates your joints, increases blood flow to muscle tissues, helps muscles ge...
stretching is an essential part of physical fitness. Routine stretching may slow the degeneration of joints, reduce risk of injury, improve posture, enhance muscular relaxation, reduce or manage stress, improve functional perfo...
stretching is an important part of warming up and cooling down before and after exercising. Many people do not realize the significance of proper breathing while stretching. Breathing helps you to relax in a stretch while provi...
stretching is supposed to be a good thing, helping you relieve muscle tension after a long period of sitting or after working your muscles through a tough workout. When stretching turns painful, however, it is no longer benefic...
stretching stimulates your nervous system to relax the muscles that are being stretched, which makes them elongated and reduces the amount of neural stimulation into the muscles. When you stretch your body, you should incorpora...
Static stretching, or holding a stretch for a specific length of time, offers advantages when done at the right time for the right purpose. Despite the long-held belief that performing static stretches before a workout or sport...
Stretching the body is commonly associated with exercise, but it can also be beneficial if you are sedentary. Standing up and moving around after sitting for long periods returns the blood flow to stiff arms and legs and keeps ...
...great stress on their shoulders and arms. The mechanics associated with pitching can put strain on the rotator cuff as the athlete performs a repetitive range of motion when tossing the ball. Perform stretching exercises reg...
...inst bones during weight training and cardiovascular exercise. This causes the bones to become stronger and joints to be more fluid. Apart from these benefits, people often overlook the importance of stretching. According to...
...mally throughout the day. Your doctor will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and treatment program, depending upon the cause. But most cases of arch pain can be treated and prevented with simple stretching exercises you...
Your abdominal muscles provide your body with balance and strength to stabilize your spine and neck through exercise and workout. Stretching and pulling on your abdominals through exercise can lengthen them, but excessive pulli...
The erector spinae are muscles of the lower back that stabilize and extend the lower spine. To stretch these muscles, curl your body forward, as in a toe touch exercise. This type of stretch should be painless. If you are feeli...
The United States Army uses these listed stretches as an intricate part of the Physical Readiness Training program to prepare its soldiers for combat. Stretching is vital to any exercise program, because it can promote and incr...
...ral deltoid and the posterior deltoid. The anterior deltoid is involved in many chest-related movements. If this muscle becomes tight, it can alter your posture and can put you at risk for injury. By stretching your anterior...
... easier to go farther with less effort. Those with a short stride have to take many more steps to reach the same distance and more steps equals more work for the muscles. Stride length is better with stretching. Without it, ...
... stiff or inflamed, you may have plantar fasciitis, a condition that causes pain along the arch of the foot when running, toe walking, jumping or using the affected foot in other ways. In most cases, stretching the arch can ...
If you want to increase your running speed, the first thing you should do is stop stretching. The traditional touch your toes and stretch routine has been proven to be less effective for athletes who are about to enter competit...
...n one side of the hip and causes inflammation to the nerve, causing weakness and possibly paralysis to the leg, according to physical therapist Ron Miller, a contributing writer for Spine-Health.com. Stretching the hip and l...
Spine stretching decreases compression forces upon the spine and alleviates tension and tightness in your back muscles and connective tissues. This usually involves two types of stretching that produce different results for you...
If you have had a long night's rest, you should feel refreshed in the morning. One normal response to waking up in the morning is to give your body a nice long stretch to rejuvenate the senses and promote flexibility in the joi...
Flexibility exercises are good for your body, but the question when considering stretching for sprinters is a matter of timing. As a sprinter, you need flexibility in your hamstrings to avoid pulling the muscle. Daily stretchin...
...e muscles located in the front of your lower leg. These muscles are responsible for the repetitive action of lifting your toes when you walk and are particularly susceptible to injury if not properly stretched. According to ...
The jumps, tumbling and stunting of cheerleading require a great deal of flexibility. Prior to cheerleading practice or training, do dynamic stretching, which uses movement to warm up your muscles and ready them to perform. To...
Stretching your deltoids can enhance your post-workout recovery after performing shoulder exercises. Light deltoid stretches in between heavy weightlifting may also improve your ability to complete additional sets and to achiev...
...n your body move in different directions and range of motion. In sports and daily activities, you move your joints and muscles together to produce and reduce force, and they rarely move in isolation. Stretching your joints a...
...ing." The peroneal muscle is located on the side of your leg and connects into your foot. It is an important stabilizer of the foot, and it is important to keep it at its optimal length by adequately stretching the muscle af...
Flexibility is paramount for a female gymnast. You can't achieve that 180-degree split in the straddle jump on the beam without a whole lot of stretching first. For the best results, practice two gymnastics stretching technique...
stretching your biceps before and after your workouts can help prevent injury and improve blood flow to your muscles. According to physiotherapist Craig Smith in an article for BBC Sport, stretching can improve your muscle's ac...
... of the positions that dancers are required to perform when tutting. To bend your wrist to a 90-degree angle requires a high amount of flexibility in this joint. Flexibility is improved through daily stretching exercises. Wr...
...ing at your desk or dashing from one place to the next, your feet require extra attention. The tops of the feet are prone to injuries and conditions such as inflammation and bruising. Try integrating stretches into your norm...
The spinal erectors, also known as the erector spinae, run down the length of the vertebral column. The main function of these muscles is to keep the spine stabilized and erect. By stretching these muscles, you will maintain go...
Stretching should be an important part of your daily exercise routine. Stretching can increase flexibility and athletic performance and decrease your risk of athletic injury. In addition, improving your level of flexibility can...
Pain in your chest or sternum can be uncomfortable, especially when stretching your arms or chest muscles. Your sternum in located in the middle of your chest and serves as the origin point of your ribs on your skeleton. While ...
... your lower four ribs on one end, and both to various structures in your pelvic area on the other. Both muscles contribute to torso flexion, lateral flexion and rotation ranges of motion, and you can stretch them by moving i...
...ifts his weight to catch a pass or make a tackle, he is increasing his risk for turf toe. While you can experience this injury on real grass, artificial turf is typically harder on your toes. Regular stretches can help to pr...
The lumbosacral junction refers to the lower part of your spine where your lumbar vertebrae meet your sacrum. In this area of your lower back are many small muscles that intersect one another, designed to provide stability and ...
Muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons in your hands can become cramped and inflamed from repetitive, fine motor movements, such as typing or using a screwdriver. Stretching the hand alleviates tight tissues by reducing the amo...
Stretching the front of your thighs can alleviate muscle and tissue stiffness that is common for those who sit often or are sedentary, according to the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Tightness in your thighs and hip flexo...
...of your midsection, under your rib cage. The obliques are used a lot in sporting movements such as bending and twisting. It's not hard to pull, strain or tear a tight oblique muscle, so it is wise to stretch your obliques re...
...they support compared to the middle and upper areas of the spine. Chronic stress causes the muscles in the lower back to tighten, which limits the ability of the muscles to support the lumbar spine. Stretching the lower bac...
Cervical pain is the medical term for neck pain that occurs as a result of problems with your spine. While neck pain is a common ailment, it can come from a variety of causes. Stretching can help with most cervical pain, but ...
...oy painting, decorating and modifying their bodies in an effort to attract attention. Among these is the manipulation of the sex organs, often in seemingly drastic ways. An unusual example is scrotal stretching, in which mal...
