Warming Up and Cooling Down

Athletes, Dancers, Singers, Actors do warming up before their performances. The process of warming up includes various physical activities generally it includes joint mobility and stretching. This helps to prevent and decrease injuries by preparing the body to respond safely to the nerve signals for quick and efficient actions. Biophysically, it is found to be releasing Adrenaline hormone, increasing heart rate, reducing friction between joints by increasing the production of Synovial fluids, increasing muscle metabolism, etc. Joint mobility is increased by activities like jogging, running, backwards body pressing, push-ups, up and down maneuver, etc. Stretching generally includes leg stretching but for martial art stretching of hands and even fingers is also included in Stretching.

Similarly, after the main performance is over it is better to do some cooling down activities that helps the body to return back to the same relaxed stage before the exercise. It decreases the increased heart rate and returns it to the previous resting state. In overall, it involves the gradual decrease in exercise intensity.