Stretching to prevent injury Dr. Ketan Mody Updated: September
17, 2012 6:03AM Fall is approaching, but there are still plenty
of good days left to play sports or exercise outdoors in nice
weather. Warming up is important for everyone doing physical
exercise, whether you are a fine tuned athlete or new to
exercising. It ensures that the muscles are ready to go and can
reduce risk of injuries like muscle strains or tendon injuries.
Failing to warm-up properly is a major cause of sports injuries.
A 15- to 20-minute warm-up will increase heart rate and
circulation, loosen joints and possibly help neural pathways in
the brain increasing your reaction times. It can also help raise
your body temperature slightly and increase blood flow to your
muscles, which allows them to be more flexible. Here are a few
stretching and warm-up tips that will help keep you healthy and
prevent injuries while playing sports or exercising. Squats help
loosen your hips to move more effectively, keeping the pressure
off your knees. Try