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1) The muscular system is prepared in a SPECIAL STRETCHING
SESSION which PREPARES FOR EACH ACTIVITY: each group
of muscles is used, joints are used.
2) Global warming up gradually brings the cardiovascular and
respiratory system into action, improves irrigation of the muscles
and prepares for making efforts. It must be sufficiently long: 10
min for a leisure sport activity, 20 min for a competition sport
activity. Note that warming up must be longer: after 55 years old,
in the morning.
7.4.2
Training
TRAINING is the main phase of your physical activity. You can
improve your physical condition by REGULAR training.
• Anaerobic exercise to develop endurance.
• Aerobic exercise to develop cardio-pulmonary resistance.
7.4.3
Slowing down
This is the continuation of an activity at low intensity, the gradual
“return to rest” phase. SLOWING DOWN brings the cardiovascular
and respiratory system, the blood flow and muscles back to “normal”
(eliminating the counter effects of an exercise, such as lactic acids,
the accumulation of which is one of the major causes of muscular
pains such as cramps and stiff muscles).
7.4.4
Stretching
STRETCHING must follow the slowing down phase while joints are
still warm in order to reduce risks of injury. Stretching after an activity:
minimizes MUSCULAR STIFFNESS due to an accumulation of
LACTIC ACIDS, “stimulates” BLOOD CIRCULATION.