Question

How do athletes warm up?

Answer 1

• They adopt a whole-body warm-up such as light running to raise muscle and blood temperature and gradually increase heart rate.
• They carefully stretch muscles and connective tissues, concentrating on the muscle groups that will be used.
• They use related warm-up exercises to gain practice effect and reduce the chances of injury.
• The warm-up is suited to the athlete and the activity and generally lasts 15 to 40 minutes without causing fatigue.
• They combine intensity and duration appropriately.
• They avoid a time-lag between warm-up and competition/training.
• They also prepare their mind (psyche up) by focusing on the task or activity that follows.
• They maintain a balance among strength, cardiovascular, speed, agility and flexibility exercises.