Flexibility

Dynamic stretching exercises

Brian Mackenzie provides some examples of dynamic stretching and mobility exercises, which could form part of the warm-up program in a training session.

Recent research work (detailed in Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise 33(3): 354-358 and Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 15(1): 98-101) suggests that the use of dynamic stretches – slow controlled movements through the full range of motion rather than bouncy, jerky movements – are the most appropriate exercises for the warm-up.

The exercises

Neck mobility

Flexion/extension – Tuck your chin into your chest, and then lift your chin upward as far as possible – 6 to 10 repetitions.
Lateral flexion – Lower your left ear toward your left shoulder and then your right ear to your right shoulder – 6 to 10 repetitions.
Rotation – Turn your chin laterally toward your left shoulder and then rotate it toward your right shoulder – 6 to 10 repetitions.

Shoulder circles

Stand tall, feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Raise your right shoulder towards your right ear, take it backwards, down and then up again to the ear in a smooth action. Repeat with the other shoulder – 6 to 10 repetitions.

Arm swings

Stand tall, feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent and keep the back straight at all times.

Overhead/down and back – Swing both arms continuously to an overhead position and then forward, down, and backwards – 6 to 10 repetitions.

Side/front crossover – Swing both arms out to your sides and then cross them in front of your chest – 6 to 10 repetitions.

Side bends

Stand tall with good posture, feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands resting on hips. Lift your trunk up and away from your hips and bend smoothly first to one side, then the other, avoiding the tendency to lean either forwards or backwards. Repeat the whole sequence 16 times with a slow rhythm, breathing out as you bend to the side and in as you return to the centre.

Hip circles and twists

Circles – With your hands on your hips and feet spread wider than your shoulders, make circles with your hips in a clockwise direction for 10 to 12 repetitions. Then repeat in a counter clockwise direction.

Twists – Extend your arms out to your sides, and twist your torso and hips to the left, shifting your weight on to the left foot. Then twist your torso to the right while shifting your weight to the right foot. 10 to 12 reps on each side.

Half squat

Stand tall with good posture holding your hands out in front of you for balance. Now bend at the knees until your thighs are parallel with the floor. Keep your back long throughout the movement, and look straight ahead. Make sure that your knees always point in the same direction as your toes. Once at your lowest point, fully straighten your legs to return to your starting position. Repeat the exercise 16 times with a smooth, controlled rhythm. Breathe in as you descend, and out as you rise.

Leg swings

Flexion/extension – Stand sideways on to the wall, weight on your left leg and your right hand on the wall for balance, swing your right leg forward and backward – 10 to 12 repetitions on each leg.

Cross-body flexion/abduction – Leaning slightly forward with both hands on a wall and your weight on your left leg, swing your right leg to the left in front of your body, pointing your toes upwards as your foot reaches its furthest point of motion. Then swing the right leg back to the right as far as comfortable, again pointing your toes up as your foot reaches its final point of movement – 10 to 12 repetitions on each leg.

Lunges

Stand tall with both feet together. Keeping the back straight lunge forward with the right leg approx. 1 to 1.5 metres. The right thigh should be parallel with the ground and the right lower leg vertical. Spring back to the starting position. Repeat with the left leg – 12 to 16 repetitions on each leg.

Ankle bounce

Double-leg bounce – Leaning forward with your hands on the wall and your weight on your toes, raise and lower both heels rapidly (bounce). Each time, lift your heels one to two inches from the ground while maintaining ground contact with the balls of your feet. 12 to 16 repetitions.

Single-leg bounce – Leaning forward with your hands on a wall and all your weight on your left foot raise the right knee forward while pushing the left heel towards the ground. Then lower the right foot to the floor while raising the left heel one or two inches. Repeat in a rapid, bouncy fashion. 12 to 16 repetitions on each leg.

Remember

The dynamic exercises that you incorporate into your warm-up programme should be appropriate to the movements you would experience in your sport/event.

About the Author

Brian Mackenzie is a UK Athletics level 4 performance coach and a coach tutor/assessor. He has been coaching sprint, middle distance and combined event athletes for the past 20+ years and has 35+ years experience as an endurance athlete. Brian can be contacted through his website at www.brianmac.co.uk

Article Reference

Mackenzie B. (2004), "Dynamic stretching exercises", Brian Mackenzie's Successful Coaching (ISSN 1745-7513), Issue 8

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Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page: