Tips for Daily Stretching By Cody Saltsman

Introduction• A competitive student athlete for 12 years, Cody

Saltsman has developed his own conditioning program to help him recover from recent surgery. Engaged in daily stretching as well as weight training, Cody Saltsman plans to pursue a career in physical therapy to help others build up strength and flexibility.

Daily stretching is important for the flexibility of any athlete. Everyday life, particularly that of students and those with sedentary day jobs, can make the body stiff and tight. This tightness, combined with muscular imbalances and lack of flexibility, can easily lead to pain and injury.

Daily Stretching• A good stretching routine helps to prevent this effect by

keeping the muscles long and encouraging the flow of lymph, which lubricates the joints.

Experts recommend daily stretching routines that involve static stretches held for 10 to 30 seconds. The stretch should cause a gentle pulling sensation, though pain is a signal that one has stretched too far and should scale back. Stretching should only happen when the joints and muscles are warmed up by physical activity, rather than immediately after a long period of sitting or lying down. Finally, though it may be tempting to hold one's breath during the stretch, normal inhalation and exhalation are key to keeping blood flowing as the muscles work.