When we are going to exercise, as if by inertia, we start to stretch some parts of the body because it is something we have been taught since we were children, that we have to prepare our muscles before doing sport to avoid injuries or cramps. So most people who do not do sport regularly start stretching unconsciously, thinking that it is the best way to prepare the body for a more intense physical activity than we are used to.
And what exactly is stretching?
These are slow, gentle movements in which we stretch the muscles and tendons that are normally shortened and hold them in this position for a few seconds. With stretching we manage to maintain mobility and flexibility, but is it really advisable to stretch before starting to exercise?
According to several studies, stretching before training does not prevent muscle damage, injuries or the pain that can appear afterwards, and it also reduces muscle strength performance.
What is recommended is a warm-up of the areas that will be most stressed during training we do next. This warm-up consists of short, quick movements, which help to get more blood to the muscle, increase the temperature and prepare the joints. The intensity of this warm-up should not be too high, but moderate, and the time recommended by experts ranges from 5 minutes to 15 minutes.
Stretching is best done when we have finished exercising because it helps to relax the muscles, and as they are already in good flow, the risk of muscle tearing is minimised.
To help prepare muscles and ligaments before training, there are massage creams with a warming effect to activate circulation and increase oxygen supply. Exdol's Confort Cream Forte contains 5 active ingredients that prevent discomfort during physical activity and increase muscle performance by having a satisfying warming effect.
