Stretching with Phase IV

I have always been taught that stretching is one of the most important parts of my workout program and I love to stretch. So, today I took the Phase IV interactive Stretch Clinic in Santa Monica, CA. Phase IV is a Scientific Training and Performance Center. The clinic was lead by Kent Moody, a Physical Therapist & Director of Clinical Quality Assurance. Kent too has been an athlete (an avid runner for nearly 40 years), so it was perfect learning from someone who has applied his own teaching to his training. It was nice to see such a variety of stretches that help many different types of athletes, from runners, cyclists, swimmers, etc. Now I have even more stretches to incorporate into my workouts.

*(please note illustrations above are not from the class)

Here are the Benefits of Stretching (from the class handout):

1. Stretching prevents injury: Stretching prepares muscles for workouts. Everyday activities, (i.e. sitting at your desk, driving, and standing) leave your muscles tight and susceptible to injury. Stretching before each and every workout prevents injury to tight muscles.

2. Stretching improves performance: By increasing range of motion of bones around a joint, stretching improves the biomechanics of your body. Muscles stretched to 110% of their resting length will contract more powerfully and allow you to perform better.

3. Stretching aids in the recovery process: Muscles are left short and tight after a workout and if left to recover in that state will become permanently shortened. Stretching muscles after workouts “wrings” out the waste products and allows muscles to recover in a lengthened postion.