| With any sport that you are serious about playing | | | | allows your body to become familiar with this |
| at a decent (high) level. You need to Stretch | | | | procedure. |
| before you play this activity. This includes any | | | | Target your warm up to where you feel your |
| sport or physical activity that your planning on | | | | body is weakest and prone to injury. In my case |
| doing for an extended period of time. This | | | | I tend to make sure my ankles are warmed up. |
| becomes more important the older you are. So | | | | Since that is the area I have the most problems |
| what does Stretching do for your body. It simply | | | | with. Example exercise would be Ankle |
| helps improve your circulation, helps you play | | | | Plantarflexion - Stretching. |
| better and It will decrease your chances of injury. | | | | You want to get the most from your stretching |
| Improvement in circulation helps with joint | | | | so customize your routine to fit your needs. |
| stiffness and muscle tension. While you are going | | | | A general rule to stretching is to do the stretch |
| thur your stretching routine especially for tennis | | | | until you feel a slight pulling. But you don't want to |
| players you need to work on Range of Motion. | | | | feel any pain. As you hold the stretch the muscle |
| (Range of motion (ROM) is an aspect of sports | | | | should begin to relax. |
| science that assists in the determination of how | | | | This feeling of less tension on the muscle will allow |
| far a particular joint can move. Joint flexibility) | | | | you to slightly and slowly increase the stretch. |
| Range of Motion equals Injury Prevention. | | | | Some experts recommend holding the stretch for |
| The most common Injuries annoying tennis | | | | 10 to 60 seconds. This is an individual call. You |
| players are rotator cuff tendonitis, tennis elbow, | | | | should know your bodies limitations. What your |
| strains or sprains of the wrist, back pain, anterior | | | | looking to achieve is your body gaining full range |
| (front) knee pain frequently involving the knee | | | | of motion. Once you feel comfortable with this |
| cap, calf and Achilles tendon injuries, ankle sprains, | | | | range you move to the next area. |
| and tennis toe. Stretching may not prevent all | | | | There is plenty of information on the web |
| theses injuries. | | | | including video on how to warm up your body. |
| What I usually do in my stretching routine is to | | | | Not to forget there are lots of Sports Medicine |
| break the body up into 2 sections. I would | | | | books available to understanding how to properly |
| suggest the following exercises for theses | | | | warm up. I would suggest you take a look at |
| particular Body areas. | | | | everything that is available. |
| Upper Body - Forearm stretch, Neck, Triceps, | | | | Remember to please see your Medical Provider |
| Shoulder | | | | before attempting any regular exercise routines. |
| Lower Body - Groin Stretch - Standing Calf | | | | What works for me may need to be tweaked |
| Stretch - Ankle - Hip Flexor - Hamstrings Stretch | | | | for your body type to achieve the optimum |
| - Lower Back - Torso Truck Rotations | | | | results. |
| Going thur the same warm up routine each time | | | | Good luck and Keep Playing Tennis. |