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Training
Athletes
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Flexibility
Training
Flexibility training is perhaps the most undervalued component of conditioning. While recent and ongoing debate questions its role in injury prevention, athletes can still gain much from a stretching regime. Flexibility of the body muscles and joints play an integral part in many athletic movements ranging from a volleyball spike to a rugby drop kick. In general terms, flexibility has been defined as the Range of Motion (ROM) about a joint and its surrounding muscles during a passive movement (1,2). Passive in this context simple means no active muscle involvement is required to hold the stretch. Instead gravity or a partner provides the force for the stretch.Benefits of Flexibility Training By increasing this joint range of motion, performance may be enhanced and the risk of injury reduced. The rationale for this is that a limb can move further before an injury occurs. Tight neck muscles for example, may restrict how far you can turn your head. If, during a tackle, your head is forced beyond this range of movement it places strain on the neck muscles and tendons. Ironically, static stretching just prior an event may actually be detrimental to performance and offer no protection from injury. The emphasis is on "may" however, as a closer examination of the scientific literature shows that effects are often minimal and by no means conclusive. Muscle tightness has been associated with an increased risk of muscle tears, can be reduced before training or competing with dynamic stretching. For this reason many coaches now favor dynamic stretches over static stretches as part of the warm up. Competitive sport can have quite an unbalancing effect on the body. Take racket sports for example. The same arm is used to hit thousands of shots over and over again. One side of the body is placed under different types and levels of stress compared to the other. The same is true for sports like soccer and Australian rules football where one kicking foot usually predominates. A flexibility training program can help to correct these disparities preventing chronic, over-use injury. A more flexible athlete is a
more mobile
athlete.
It
allows enhanced movement around the court or field with greater ease
and dexterity. Some other benefits may include an increase in body
awareness and a promotion of relaxation in the muscle groups stretched
- both of which may have positive implications for skill acquisition
and performance. 1. Dynamic flexibility -- the ability to perform dynamic movements within the full range of motion in the joint. Common examples include twisting from side to side or kicking an imaginary ball. Dynamic flexibility is generally more sport-specific than other forms of mobility. 2. Static Active flexibility -- this refers to the ability to stretch an antagonist muscle using only the tension in the agonist muscle. An example is holding one leg out in front of you as high as possible. The hamstring (antagonist) is being stretched while the quadriceps and hip flexors (agonists) are holding the leg up. 3. Static Passive flexibility -- the ability to hold a stretch using body weight or some other external force. Using the example above, holding your leg out in font of you and resting it on a chair. The quadriceps are not required to hold the extended position. A flexibility training program can be made up of different types of stretching: Which type of flexibility training is best? It depends on the sport and the athlete's outcomes - something which will be examined more closely in the articles below. As a general rule, dynamic stretches are used as part of a warm up and static stretches or PNF flexibility training is used for increasing range of motion. Elements of Fitness Recommended Reading:
Off-Ice
Training
Sports Training The Physiology of Flexibility Here's a quick review of what determines a person's flexibility - an some of the physiological components important in stretching... Static Stretching Exercises and Flexibility Training Program Static stretching exercises are best performed when your body is completely warmed up - often at the end of game or training session. Avoid static stretching immediately before competition, especially if your sport is based on speed and power. Dynamic Stretches & Stretching Routine Use these dynamic stretches as part of your warm up routine. Dynamic stretching has been shown to decrease muscle tightness which may be associated to an increased risk of muscles and tendon tears. Self
Myofascial Release Exercises While
not strictly flexibility training, self myofascial release techniques
can have a number of performance and rehabilitation benefits. With just
the aid of a foam roll, athletes can reduce muscular pain and those
'trigger points' also associated with muscle tears. References: Flexibility
Training... Stretching For Sport And Athletes Flexibility training is perhaps the most
undervalued component of conditioning.
Flexibility Exercises for Every Major Muscle Group This compilation of flexibility exercises, complete with diagrams will improve your health, your athletic performance and can help reduce joint pain. What Kind Of Exercise Do Male Ballet Dancers Do? Aug. 12, 2011 ... Despite the fact that ballet dancers tend to be more flexible than other performing athletes, many dance injuries occur during flexibility training. 4 Types of Exercises for Male Ballet Dancers Exercise #2: Flexibility Training. Koutedakis and Jamurtas - ballet dancers are more flexible than other performing athletes, Ballet
Training for Athletes July 24, 2007 ...
Many athletes use dance and ballet to cross-train and improve their ...
Ballet improves strength, flexibility, coordination, dexterity and
agility.
Resources:Sports Information The following internet
links have been
gleaned from personal communications
combined with information from public institutions and athletic organizations/ associations that have a web presence with information concerning team and individual sports programs:
All
materials are copy protected.
The limited use of the materials for education purposes is allowed providing credit is given for the source of the materials.
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