1. Warm Up & Cool Down How and Why

2. Why Warm-Up? Helps you mentally prepare for movement Increases heart rate and blood supply to your muscles Generates heat in the muscles and joints which makes them more flexible and resistant to injury Warm muscles stretch easier than cold muscles Sudden fall or slip could tear or strain muscles if they are not warm

3. How to Warm-Up? Stage 1 Cardiorespiratory activities that slowly raise your heart rate and increase body temperature. Should be specific to the activity your are about to perform Stage 2 Static Stretching: Muscles should be stretched slowly for 10-30 seconds to the point of mild discomfort, not pain.

4. Why Cool-Down? Helps your heart rate and breathing gradually return to normal resting levels Avoids rapid change in blood pressure Prevents blood from “pooling” in the lower body Causes light headed or dizzy feeling

5. How to Cool-Down Stage 1 Continue walking or lightly jogging for 5 minutes after exercise The goal is to slowly lower your heart rate and prevent blood from pooling in the lower body Stage 2 Static Stretching…again This is the best time to stretch and it will be much easier! Loosens tightened muscles and prevents soreness.

6. Wrap-Up Why warm-up? How to warm-up? Why cool-down? How to cool-down?