Dynamic Warm Ups
Within the last decade or so, static stretching for preparing for activity has fallen by the wayside, being replaced with what we refer to as a “dynamic warm up.”
This is mostly due to evidence which has surfaced over the years that link static stretching prior to activity with decreased performance, and increased risk of injury.
While the term ‘dynamic’ may make the warm up sound complex and intense, it really is neither. The main point of a dynamic warm up is to prepare for activity by doing similar movements that you are about to perform but with much less intensity. The goal of the dynamic warm up is to activate muscles by initiating movement and increasing blood flow with repetition of those movements.
In contrast to static stretching, studies on dynamic warm ups have shown that they actually increase muscular performance and range of motion!
The best thing about these types of warm ups is that they can be adapted to suit any sort of activity! General movements which can be put together to warm up for any activity include things like lunges with a twist, jump squats, leg swings, lateral shuffles, and arm swings.
The video I embedded has a sample of what a dynamic warm up for golfing would look like. Be sure to give it a watch!
If you would like me to help you find a good dynamic warm up routine for your activities, then ask about it at your next appointment.
Until then, may your muscles be dynamically warm and happy.