FITNESS AUTHOR
Caroline Betik
PHOTOGRAPHY
Brian Fitzsimmons
THE IMPORTANCE OF SLOWING DOWN Warm-ups and cool-downs may help the effectiveness of a workout.
A
s the clock reaches 8 a.m., basketball practice begins. Students from the University of Texas rack their balls and gather around their coach. Geoff Rich, assistant professor of practice in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at UT, greets his students as he explains the plans for the day. Before taking a lap and lining up to do some pre-basketball drills, students high-five each other and gather in close for a team breakout. “One. Two. Three. Midterms!” The first 10 minutes of practice are a buildup of skills. Rather than
APRIL
jumping right into basketball, Rich is a strong believer in the importance of pre- and post-exercises. While warm-ups and cooldowns have been deemed unimportant by many professionals and avid gym-goers, it is important to recognize the benefits they bring which can help to create a more efficient workout. Rich says warm-ups help with energy and get you in the mindset to exercise. “When you begin with something a little slower, people are more engaged than if you just jump in and start something,” Rich says. “Warm-ups are not just good for your body but also your mind.”
66
According to Mayo Clinic, practicing warm-ups and cool-downs can reduce stress on your heart and other muscles. Although they do not guarantee to make you injury-free, performing certain ranges of motion at a lower intensity will help with skill and fitness development. Physiologically, warm-ups help prepare your body for aerobic activity, according to Mayo Clinic. By gradually increasing activity, your body steadily raises its body temperature as it begins pumping oxygenated blood into your muscles. As your heart rate begins to speed up progressively, so does your breathing. Essentially, warm-ups can help give your body
2020
