Stretching

// By: Jillian Li // Stretching is very important and should be done before and after any physical activity, as it is the finishing touches to completing a workout. Though it is usually underestimated and forgotten, the use of it is still extremely essential. It should be considered as a regular routine where you stretch before to allow the body to warm up, and after to cool down. Because many injuries occur during the time participating in a variety of sports, stretching minimizes and decreases this risk. It may also allow the athlete’s performance to be enhanced. As people begin to age, they start to lose their flexibility, the range of motion, which is a huge component to living a healthy lifestyle. By stretching frequently, muscles and joints in the body are able to be well balanced, preventing large amounts of flexibility loss and health complications later in life. There are various types of stretches that are very simple, yet effective. Therefore, by adding just a few of these before and after any amount of physical activity will be very beneficial.
 * __[[image:stretching.gif width="98" height="98"]] Stretching __**