ANY athlete that jumps straight into an event or game without warming up is risking injury, certified National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer Jerry Diaz said.
“Prior to performing our daily exercise we must also warm up,” he added.
As an athlete, he performed warmup movements designed by coaches to create body and muscle heat, Diaz recalled.
The way we warm up, however, depends on our age, goal, fitness experience and abilities, he said.
“There is a huge library of warmup movements that can stimulate an individual’s preparedness to increase flexibility, body and muscle temperature and range of motion,” he added.
“The difficulty of each warmup should also be progressive in terms of frequency and duration,” he said.
It is important that one’s movements are closely supervised to avoid injury, Diaz said.
Cooling down after a training session or competition is just as crucial.
He said it is highly suggested to assess one’s body after an intense or prolonged training session or sporting competition.
It is recommended to cool down using ice packs and/or baths. But cooling down doesn’t necessarily require ice, Diaz said. “We want it to be cold enough to slow down the blood flow and allow the body to begin healing and rebuilding,” he added.
“As a certified National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer for over six years now, it is my responsibility to build a habitual routine practice for all clients (including professional athletes, seniors, and those rehabbing). I help them implement a warmup drill that will allow them to maximize their experience during their exercise or competition,” Diaz said.
Warmups, he reiterated, can lead to a higher level of mental focus and increase body and muscle temperature while preventing injury.
For professional fitness nutrition inquiries, contact Jerry Diaz through Instagram at @BBJ_Athletics or Facebook.
Rose and Hana Diaz warm up prior to a boxing training session.
Jerry Diaz
