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Sports Performance and Kinetics

Sports kinetics, though many people do not even know what it is, is a very important component of sports and one that can significantly affect athletes' performance, success, and health. Because sports are so commonly played by everyone from children to senior citizens, it is important to understand how the body works so that sports can be fun and healthful instead of painful and harmful. Most of what people need to know about their bodies and sports is not overly complicated medical jargon. It is generally just simple principles that people can apply once they understand the basics of muscles, the body, and activity.

Essentials of Sports Kinetics

Sports kinetics essentially refers to the motion of sports. Unless you consider playing your weekly poker game a sport, all sports involve some kind of motion. Usually that motion is rather extreme, involving either great force, great speed, or great distance. Consider golfing, for example. There is a great deal of natural, fluid force behind the golf swing and great distance, too, because the swing extends from behind the head across one shoulder all the way through the other shoulder. Running involves speed motion, as does other popular sports like football, basketball, etc. It is important that these motions be understood and harnessed correctly to prevent injury.

Probably the most important aspect of sports kinetics is stretching. Stretching prepares the muscles to better handle and facilitate all the kinds of motion that athletic activity and competitive sports will require. Stretching is important because it prevents injury and helps the muscles better recuperate from strenuous and demanding activity. When anyone is participating in an athletic activity, his or her muscles are going to naturally shorten because of the intensity of the activity. If the muscles are allowed to remain that way, movement will be restricted and it will be painful to move. This is one reason why many people have restricted motion after hard workouts: their muscles are tight. Gently stretching after any activity will help prevent this from occurring and enable you to not only enjoy a less painful next day but also to continue your activity without problems.

Although stretching is important to sports kinetics, not all stretching is good and all stretching is not the same. There are important aspects of stretching that need to be a part of any stretching regimen. First of all, it is important to respect the fluid motion of the body and not bounce or jar your muscles. Push them to the point of pressure and hold it there for five to ten seconds. Then, see if you can stretch a little further past that initial point and hold it there for five to ten seconds. As you gradually stretch your muscles and then relax, you will notice that you develop greater flexibility that results in better sports performance and less pain.

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