When it comes to working out or any physical activity, it is important to make sure your body is properly warmed up. A warm-up routine has multiple benefits that can help reduce the risk of injury and increase your body's function and performance, including the following.
AN INCREASE IN MUSCLE TEMPERATURE
Muscles that are warmed up will be able to contract with more force and relax at a faster rate after the contraction; this will increase overall strength and speed.
INCREASE IN BODY TEMPERATURE
Warming up will increase your body's temperature making your muscles more elastic, reducing the risk of muscle pulls.
IMPROVED COORDINATION
With a warm-up, your body's central nervous system gets ready to go and will increase the communication of nerve to muscle pathways. Your body will be able to respond with quicker reaction times and agile movements.
INCREASE IN BLOOD TEMPERATURE
Just as your muscles and body move more effectively when warmed up, your blood operates the same way. When blood temperature rises, blood oxygen levels rise to create more oxygenated blood in the bloodstream. Thus, muscles will be able to receive larger volumes of nutrients and function at a greater level.
A warm-up should consist of simple movements such as walking on a treadmill, jogging in place, jumping jacks, jumping rope, or core rotation movements and take five to 10 minutes to perform. Making the time to incorporate a warm-up before your workout or physical activity should become part of your routine. If you jump right into working out or any other physical activity without warming up there is a greater risk of injury as well as lower body function and performance.
When muscles and joints are "cold", the range of motion is not as great and the elasticity of your muscles is much tighter. Without a proper warm-up. you run the risk for muscle and joint strains, tears, and sprains.