Martial Arts Stretches Will Boost Your Martial Arts
In the beginning, hundreds and hundreds of years ago, martial arts were meant for war. The fighting styles could go all the way back to 2,500 B.C. Today, there are well over a hundred styles. Multiple forms are combined sometimes, like Jeet Kune Do and Tang Soo Do. However, it's generally divided into several categories, including but not limited to:
Ground Arts - such as grappling, wrestling
Lifestyle Arts - such as ninjutsu, samurai
Striking - such as kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do
Weapons Styles - such as kendo, kobudo
Martial Arts: Flexibility and Stretching
There are many martial arts that have both the body's joints and muscles at play. When it all boils down to it, however, they're all interchangeable somehow. Core muscles and lower body muscles alike are necessary for both attack and defense mode. Upper body strength is downright crucial here, so that extremities and torso alike can have the proper force and move with full flexibility.
Several major muscles are involved in performing moves when it comes to martial arts:
Arm, bicep and tricep muscles
Core muscles (hip flexors, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominism spinal erectors)
Hand, wrist and forearm muscles
Leg and hip muscles (abductor group, gastrocnemius and soleus, gluteus muscles and the lower leg, hamstrings, quadriceps)
Neck muscles
Shoulder girdle and upper torso muscles (deltoids, latissimus dorsi, pectorals)
Typical Martial Arts Injuries
People that do contact sports are essentially at risk for injury. That's because of everything they're exposed to. Aside from that, overuse injuries that come from repetitive movement which many of the martial arts need.
Some of the most typical injuries are Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) sprain, dislocations, groin strain, knee sprains, Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) sprain, muscle bruises and contusions, rotator cuff tear or strain, sprained ankles, sprained wrists, and subluxations.
Strategies To Prevent Injuries
Conditioning will go a long way for avoiding injuries. It's also helpful to take on prevention strategies such as:
After training/after competition stretching
Cardiovascular training
Drills for agility, balance and proprioception
Having a proper cool-down period
Practicing in controlled environments
Strengthening muscles which support ankle joints and knee joints
Stretching in order to improve flexibility for less training stress
Using appropriate padding and protective gear
Warming up before training and competition constantly
Martial arts stretches are incredibly underrated for both injury rehabilitation and prevention alike. Many people seem to think stretching won't do much, but it can make a huge difference. People who practice martial arts actually have an edge when they go into stretching. That's because their range of motion is extensive while the very nature of the martial arts are nothing short of explosive.
In fact, it's so important that the legendary Bruce Lee had a very detailed, strict stretching routine. He knew the sheer importance of flexibility.
Conclusion
Martial arts practitioners will benefit greatly from stretching for both injury prevention and rehabilitation. It may not seem like it, but the body's core muscles need all the flexibility they can get. Stretching plays a huge role in conditioning.
Looking for stretch classes in Sydney that can help your martial arts physique? Contact Stretch Studio today! We’ve got unique services for mobility and stretching as the first one-on-one assisted stretching concept in Australia.