Are you a fan of winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and the like? If so, then you need to be performing the right dynamic stretches before your physical activity. Why is warming up important? What is the difference between static and dynamic warmups? What are some good warmups you can do before heading down the slope? Here are a few things you should know.
Why Warm Up Before Outdoor Winter Sports?
You are always going to want to warm up before performing any strenuous physical activity for several reasons:
- Gets your heart ready for enhanced activity
- Prepares your joints for optimal flexibility
- Boosts your overall performance
In short, you want to warm up before outdoor winter sports because it can help to prevent an injury and help you to perform your best.
What Is the Difference Between Static and Dynamic Warmups?
There are a few things that set dynamic warmups (or stretches) apart from static ones. Here are a few of the reasons that you should use a dynamic warmup before your outdoor winter sports.
- Movement – The main difference between static and dynamic warmups is movement. A static stretch is held in place. Dynamic stretching not only stretches the muscles and loosens the joints, but it also gets you a little cardio.
- Better performance – While the evidence shows that static stretches before activity actually reduce performance, a dynamic warmup can improve your performance.
- Purpose – Dynamic stretches are designed to warm up before you engage in physical activity. Static stretches are better after you work out or play sports because they can help you to avoid feeling as sore the next day.
Dynamic Warmup Stretches for Skiers and Snowboarders
What are some examples of dynamic exercises you can do to warm up before skiing or snowboarding? Here are a few exercises to perform. You can find them easily by searching YouTube for videos on how to perform each exercise.
- High knees
- Skipping
- Truck twists
- Push-ups
- Butt kicks
- Lunges
- Knee hugs
- Ankle grabs
That should give you a few ideas to get started on your pre-exercise warmup.
What If I’m Still Sore After Winter Sports?
What if you still experience an abnormal about of stiffness or soreness after winter outdoor sports despite dynamic warmups beforehand and static stretches afterward? The next step is to call Ward Chiropractic and Rehabilitation to see if you have a misalignment or a repetitive movement injury. You can schedule an appointment by dialing 703.672.1661 or by requesting an appointment online.
