Does stretching or warming up before performing a sport help?

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Jay Dicharry
Director, UVA Health System
www.healthsystem.virginia.edu  
434-243-5622

Jay Dicharry MPT, CSCS, is the Director of the SPEED Performance Clinic and the Motion Analysis Lab Coordinator at the University of Virginia . Originally from New Orleans , LA , Jay received his BS from the University of Southern Mississippi in Exercise Physiology in 1997. In 2001, Jay completed the Master of Physical Therapy degree at Louisiana State University Medical Center . He has pursued additional course work in exercise physiology and wilderness medicine, and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a certified coach through both the United States Track and Field Association and the United States Cycling Federation. Jay has a competitive history in swimming, triathlon, cycling, and running events on both the local and national level. He serves as the Coach of the Masters Swimming program for the City of Charlottesville . Jay has helped to organize and presented at the annual UVA Running Medicine conference and has been published in a medical review text. He has been an invited lecturer in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency and the Exercise Physiology department at the University of Virginia. Jay's research and treatment interests lie in the biomechanics and treatment of athletes. Jay is the husband of his wife Asha and the servant of his loyal dog, Turbo.

Does stretching or warming up before performing a sport help?

In this video, Jay Dicharry, director of the SPEED Performance Clinic and the Motion Analysis Lab Coordinator at the University of Virginia Health System, discusses whether stretching or warming up help before performing a sport.

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Host: Does stretching or warming up before performing a sport help?

Jay Dicharry: Stretching or warming up is something we should think about before any athletetic even. It's important to realize what we are actually doing. We start by warming up, we are increasing blood flow to working tissue and we are heightening our body sense of co-ordination before activity.

Talking about stretching we should think about what stretching actually involves. Too much flexibility is actually a risk factor for injury. Too little flexibility is also a risk factor for injury. It's important to realize that you need to have the appropriate amount of flexibility for the sport that you are going participate in. One key thing to think about if you are limited in flexibility it's important to stretch after. When we stretch we actually tear our muscles fibers and we want it always do that after the event.

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