How to Prepare for Exercise
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- Q Why is it important to warm up before an exercise?
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Dr. Grant Cooper, Physical Medicine & RehabilitationWithout the warm-up, your stretching may result in injury when you try to stretch tight muscles. Your warm-up can be a brisk walk or other brief aerobic exercise, or a combination of light aerobic exercise and light weight training such as lifting a... Full Answer
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- Q Why is it important to stretch my calf muscles?
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The calf is comprised of two muscles the gastrocnemius and soleus which fuse at the Achilles tendon and when they contract, they flex the foot to allow you to plant on the balls of your feet. As you land when you walk or run or squat down to sit or... Full Answer
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- Q What precautions should I take when starting an exercise program?
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Dr. Vonda Wright, Orthopedic SurgeryPrecautions you should take when beginning to exercise: • Don't be a "weekend warrior," packing a week's worth of activity into a day or two. Try to maintain a moderate level of activity throughout the week. • Learn to do your sport... Full Answer
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- Q What's the proper way to stretch as I get older?
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Especially as we age, flexibility takes on an ever important role in health and fitness. Stretching helps to prevent stiffness and shortening of muscles that can lead to pain and injuries in older adults. The best form of stretching recommended to older... Full Answer
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- Q How should I plan my workout routine when I start exercising?
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Dr. Vonda Wright, Orthopedic SurgeryWhen you start exercising, it is important to keep your workout routine simple. Do not make an elaborate plan with multilevel goals. Go for a walk, run, swim, or row -- anything that is logistically practical for you. Remember that just making... Full Answer
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- Q How should I do inchworm warm-up exercises?
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Dr. Vonda Wright, Orthopedic SurgeryThe inchworm is a warm-up exercise that can easily be performed before any kind of exercise. Here's how: 1. Begin in a push-up position. 2. Slowly walk your legs toward your hands. Heels may be off the floor. 3. Continue walking forward until the... Full Answer
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- Q How should I do skipping as a warm-up exercise?
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Dr. Vonda Wright, Orthopedic SurgerySkipping is a warm-up exercise that can easily be performed before any kind of exercise. Here's how: 1. Skip for 20 meters, landing in the mid-foot area with each contact with the ground, and with toes pointed straight ahead. 2. Try skipping by... Full Answer
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- Q How should I warm up my muscles before stretching?
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Dr. Harris McIlwain, Pain MedicineAlways warm your muscles before you start your stretches. Walk or march in place or climb up and down flight of stairs slowly for a few minutes before stretching. Focus on your posture, abdominal control (keeps your spine straight), and regular breathing... Full Answer
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- Q Why is it important to stay hydrated when exercising?
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Dr. Dawn Marcus, NeurologyThe journal Proceedings of the Nutrition Society published important recommendations from a nutrition conference held at the University of Nottingham. The nutrition conference on hydration and exercise produced these important findings:... Full Answer
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- Q Are upright rows a safe exercise if I have shoulder impingement?
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Upright rows would not be the best choice for you at this time. The finished or top position of the upright row exercise is actually the same arm position health professional place someone in to test if they have shoulder impingement. The upright row... Full Answer
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