EXERCISE SESSION

WHY WARM UP AND COOLING DOWN IS IMPORTANT ?

Warm ups and cool-downs generally involve doing your activity at a slower pace and reduced intensity. Most people often ignore and take it easy on warm ups and cooling downs this is because they do not see physical changes but this are important for cardiovascular health. Here is how warm up and cooling work toward our body.

WARM UPS

Warming up helps prepare your body for aerobic activity. A warm up gradually revs up your cardiovascular system by raising your body temperature and increasing blood flow to your muscles. Warming up may also help reduce muscle soreness and lessen your risk of injury.

Most warm-up sessions will include a combination of cardiovascular exercises, stretching and strength drills. The cardiovascular exercises are designed to increase circulation, increase body temperature and bring the heart rate up, while stretching warms the muscles and prepare them for the movements they will be required to carry out during the activity. 

COOLING DOWN

Cooling down after workout allows for a gradual recovery of pre-exercise heart rate and blood pressure. Cooling down may be most important for competitive endurance athletes, such as marathoners, because it helps regulate blood flow. A cool down can last for 3–10 minutes and includes stretches or gentle variations of the movements you did during your workout. The purpose of cooling down after exercise is to allow your heart rate and breathing to return to normal and to promote relaxation.