Why do we warm up before sports?
Cold Rubber to Warm Springs
Why do we warm up before sports?
You're about to sprint, jump, throw, or dive. Your body's been sitting around all day like a car in a parking lot. Why not just go? Why do coaches make you jog in circles and stretch before the real action starts?
Your muscles are like cold rubber bands. At room temperature, a rubber band is stiff — if you yank it hard and fast, it might snap. But warm it up in your hands, and it becomes stretchy and strong. Your muscle fibers work the same way. Cold muscles are tight and rigid. They can tear if you ask them to explode into a sprint without warning.
