Dynamic Warm Ups and Active Rehabilitation

Hi Jon,

I came across your website and had a question. I was wondering in active rehabilitation as a kinesiologist, do you include dynamic warm-ups as well? Or is it only for non-injured individuals for sport performance? Is it bad to perform dynamic warm-up exercises? Should an injured individual just warm up on cardio for 5-10 mins? or include dynamic stretching exercises as well?

Thanks,

Davin

Hi Davin,

Thanks for your question.

A general warmup (cardio 5-10 min) is a great way to increase the core body temperature. But it doesn't nothing in regards to mobility promotion or muscle activation. I do include dynamic warm ups in my active rehabilitation sessions, but the exercises I choose for the dynamic warm up depends on the client's pain levels, current functional state and exercise experience etc. I wouldn't have a 65 year old grandmother perform dynamic leg swings in the frontal plane, but I might get a 50 year old male doing walking prisoner lunges. I would also incorporate muscle activation exercises into their warm up, e.g. supine glute bridges or Cook hip lifts to help with glute max activation and hip mobility.

I hope that answers your question,

Jon-Erik Kawamoto