Warming up before you exercise, especially before engaging in strenuous activity, has very real physiological, and frequently psychological, benefits. Here is what to know to get the most from your warm-up.
Warming up prepares your heart, lungs, and muscles for the more strenuous stage, the primary focus of your workout.
Here are the particulars of what happens to your body in a warm-up:
As your blood temperature goes up, binding of oxygen to hemoglobin weakens, so oxygen is more readily available to working muscles, which might improve endurance.
Blood vessels dilate:
This increases blood circulation and puts less strain on the heart.
Your muscle temperature increases:
It is a well-known fact that warm muscles both contract more forcefully and shrinks more quickly, decreasing the danger of overstretching a muscle and causing harm. Your general body temperature also rises, which improves muscle elasticity; this may enhance speed and strength.
The range of movement increases:
This allows your muscles (like your shoulders and knees) to achieve their maximum movement possible.
You prevent overheating:
When the heat-dissipation mechanisms within the body are triggered, your body can cool effectively and help prevent overheating early on, which is particularly crucial during demanding aerobic activity, like jogging or bicycling in a hurry.
You’ve got an opportunity to prepare mentally:
The warm-up is also a fantastic time to emotionally prepare for an event by clearing the mind, increasing focus, and reviewing your skills and plan. Positive vision may even relax you and build concentration for a contest.
Hormonal changes occur:
Your body raises its production of various hormones, such as cortisol and epinephrine, which are responsible for regulating energy generation. Throughout a warm-up, this balance of hormones creates more carbohydrates and fatty acids available for energy generation.
