Drey Ricks | The Importance of Pre- Game Warm-ups

Drey Ricks can’t express enough how important pre-game warm-ups are. Pre-game warm-ups should not be taken for granted. Drey Ricks believes this is a determining factor whether you will have a good performance or not.  In the physiological sense, warming up refers to increasing blood flow to the muscles that are to be engaged in the planned exercise. Heightened blood flow to muscles means increased oxygen delivery to tissues and removed carbon dioxide, a harmful toxin for muscle performance.

The benefits of warming up are related to a rise in muscle temperature, which leads to the dissociation of oxygen from hemoglobin, quickens metabolic chemical reactions, and results in more efficient cellular processes. A reduction in muscle viscosity then increases the sensitivity and speeds up the nerve impulses that allow for faster communication between neurotransmitters. Maintaining good flexibility through warm-up exercises has shown protective benefits by helping prevent musculoskeletal sports-related injuries.

These changes allow muscles to move quickly and efficiently and help connect the brain with relevant
motor patterns for the upcoming activity, all while minimizing injury. A good example of a way to begin a warm-up is by completing this dynamic warm-up.

Drey Ricks knows it’s essential for all elite athletes to take the necessary time to prepare their bodies for their athletic performance. Athletes can use a general warm-up to increase muscle temperature and sport-specific movements to get their bodies sharp. If an athlete is going to
put in the time to maximize their athletic performance, they must also put in the time to properly
warm-up.