Developing a strong mind-body connection for optimal performance
When it comes to your running success, preparation is key and muscle activation is an essential part of your warm-up routine.
By activation, we simply mean ‘waking up’ specific muscles and preparing your body for the more intense physical activity that follows. Engaging these muscles in a dynamic warm up helps build the mind-body connection. This will help you more when doing your running training, enhancing your body’s ability to move effectively and recruit the correct muscle groups. By activating the right muscles, individuals can improve their range of motion, flexibility, and coordination, leading to smoother and more controlled movements.
Pre-activation exercises will also help you prevent unnecessary injuries. By doing these exercises, you will improve your performance and protect the surrounding joint and tissues from stress and excessive loading. By activating muscles before engaging in more intense activities, individuals can reduce the likelihood of strains, sprains, and other injuries caused by weak or inactive muscles.
It’s important to note that muscle activation exercises are not a substitute for addressing underlying mechanical issues or chronic muscle imbalances. While activation exercises can provide immediate benefits, a long-term commitment to maintaining muscle balance and proper mechanics is necessary to reap maximum benefits.
For our Top Tip, we go drive into the importance of pre-activation exercises and which exercises you should be doing to aid your running.