Functional Path Training: Stretching and Warm-up

Functional Path Training

The Functional Path is a path that had been traveled many times before but had fallen out of use in favor of smoother paved roads that promised faster and easier results. Seeking to follow and better define the functional path is a continuing journey, fortunately it is a journey that many have traveled before. Functional Path training is getting back to the basics of movement. It is learning to tune into the body and it’s inherent wisdom to produce rhythmic flowing movement.

5/4/07

Stretching and Warm-up

Stretching is not warm-up. I repeat stretching is not warm-up. Several dynamic stretches should be part of warm-up. Those stretches should be placed in the later third of warm-up when the body is warm. Also group stretching is an almost complete waste of time. Stretching must fit each individual based on his or her needs. All of that being said go watch “warm-up” in MLB or the NBA and you will see millions of dollars of bodies wallowing around on the ground doing static stretching at the start of warm-up. Usually that takes half to two thirds of the whole warm-up. Stretching has a place, but it is not warm-up.

2 Comments:

At 5/4/07, 11:55 AM, Anonymous said...: "Those stretches should be placed in the later third of warm-up when the body is warm"

Vern,

I believe in dynamic stretching as part of a warmup and that's a gem of info right there...so, how did you come about the latter third recommendation? Also, how did you combat tightness setting in during sitting in the dugout?

Todd Langer
www.balance2posture.com
At 5/4/07, 12:13 PM, Anonymous said...: Vern,

Thanks for saying this and please keep saying it when it fits. Your discussion of the purpose and design of the warm up in your book and AD is very helpful and I have cited it often in helping sport coaches think better about the warm up. I have found that when people understand the purpose of the warm up and the science behind the good design, they see how critical a proper warm up is to accomplishing the goals in training or competition. So, thanks for keeping it in the forefront and providing a good rationale and framework.

TIm Clark

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About Me

Name: Vern Gambetta

Location: Florida, United States

Vern is currently is the Director of Gambetta Sports Training Systems. He has been the a conditioning coach for several teams in Major League Soccer as well as the conditioning consultant to the US Men’s World Cup Soccer team. Vern is the former Director of Conditioning for the Chicago White Sox and Director of Athletic Development for the New York Mets. Vern is recognized internationally as an expert in training and conditioning for sport having worked with world class athletes and teams in a wide variety of sports. He is a popular speaker and writer on conditioning topics having lectured and conducted clinics in Canada, Japan, Australia and Europe. Vern's coaching experience spans 36 years at all levels of competition. Vern has authored six books and over one hundred articles related to coaching and sport performance in a variety of sports. He received his BA from Fresno State University and his teaching credential with a coaching minor from University of California Santa Barbara. Vern obtained his MA in Education with an emphasis in physical education from Stanford University.

Functional Path Training

5/4/07

Stretching and Warm-up

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