Football Warm-ups and Conditioning

Football involves many vigorous movements such as blocking, tackling, running, etc. It requires much flexibility, strength, and mobility. In order to perform these tasks at the best of your ability without injury one must prepare themselves by stretching and warming up."A warm-up decreases the risk of injury because it stretches the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues; raises the temperature of the muscles and makes them more supple; and increases the heart and respiratory rates, providing more oxygen to your system."(Wright 27) Using the book Football: Sports Injuries: How to Prevent, Diagnose and Treat  I learned some tips and guide lines to warming up.

The first flexibility stretch i decided to do was for shoulders, chest, and arms. "Stretch the arms upward and backward."(Wright 30) This stretch improved my flexibility and range of movement in my arms and shoulder. while throwing the football over a 30 minute period i felt little to no fatigue and could throw better compared to not stretching my arms as said in my book "A warm-up will make the body more flexible and increase its ability to respond more quickly. Another benefit it that it will give you stamina over a longer period."(Wright 27)

The next stretch i did was the toe touch which works the lower back and thighs. When stretching and warming up movements become easier. My legs became more mobile and i felt more agile while running. This was because stretching increases your body's flexibility and makes muscles less tight which is important in many sports including football."Pregame stretching makes the muscle tissues less tight and even a bit longer. cold muscles resist stretching."(Wright 30) 

Warming up and stretching is a major key in all sports but especially in football which requires many complex and vigorous movements. Do you you think that stretching and warming up is that important in other sports too?

Wright, John D. Football. Mason Crest Publishers, 2005.