Triathlon Stretches and Flexibility Exercises

Triathlon stretching exercises to improve your performance and help do away with triathlon injuries.

Even if you have not heard the term triathlon before, it is probably a safe bet that you have heard the words "IronMan" before. When it comes to a regularly televised example of what a triathlon is, the annual Hawaii IronMan competition provides a great example of the gruelling, draining nature of this sport.

A triathlon is an extreme athletic competition that is comprised of three events: swimming, cycling and running. To be considered the winner, you have to not only participate in all three events; you also have to be the best overall performer in all three.

This sport can be so demanding on the participants that most organizations that sponsor the major events will require that anyone wishing to compete go through and complete satisfactorily, practice sprints and qualifying races before being allowed to compete in any of the major competitions.

Top 3 triathlon stretches One of the most important parts of triathlon training is not just the individual sports, but the transitions. When the competitor is forced to switch quickly from one sport to the next, the demands on the body are extreme.

If you're looking to improve your triathlon performance or just seeking to prevent triathlon injuries, it is important to follow the information in this article. In addition, adding a few simple stretches to your fitness program will also help. To get started on a safe and effective stretching routine, grab a copy of the updated 2011 edition of The Stretching Handbook.

A Brief History of Triathlon
As a competition, the triathlon does not have the history that other competitions such as the marathon have. The big name in triathlon history seems to be the oldest known version of the current yearly competitions, and it all began with the IronMan in Hawaii. It started with a friendly debate between some friends as to who was the better athlete: a swimmer, a cyclist or a runner. When a decision that everyone could agree with could not be reached, it was suggested that a competition be staged that incorporated all three sports, with the winner being declared the best athlete of them all. At least, that is how the story goes.

What they did not know at the time was that their little "friendly competition" would become the popular monster that it is today. It began as a 2.4 mile rough water Waikiki swim, followed by a 112 mile bike race around the island of Kona, and culminated with the 26.6 mile Honolulu marathon. That single competition was made so popular by word-of-mouth and articles in sporting magazines that it was repeated and changed until it became the Hawaiian IronMan Competition in 1979. And it spawned a whole host of similar competitions around the world in the process.

Anatomy Involved
The competition level of a triathlon is so intense that there is very little of the body that is spared. The true workhorses of it all, used in every facet of the race, have to be the legs. Whether swimming, cycling or running, the majority of the punishment and torture is focused on the legs. From the quadriceps to the hamstrings to the knees, ankles and feet, the pounding, and flexion takes its toll over the gruelling miles, on the road, on the bike or in the water.

The next in line on the circuit of muscles that will require special attention in training are the arms. From the biceps to the triceps, the rotator cuff, the elbow, the wrist, deltoids and abs, all of it gets to play center stage during the swimming portion of the competition. The best preparation, physically, for this type of endurance competitions, is to be certain that all of your muscles, tendons and ligaments remain as flexible and strong as possible. Aerobic and cardiovascular strengths are also a huge part of the body being used in this type of activity.

Most Common Triathlon Injuries
Training for, and competing in a triathlon requires hours of rigorous exercise and practice. One of the most common problems associated with the sport of triathlon is overtraining; or not giving your body the rest it requires to stay fit, healthy and injury free.

Another major concern, during training and competition is dehydration and exhaustion. It is far too easy to tire out, and forget to keep yourself hydrated, because there are no real rest breaks during the race, simply transitions from one phase to another. You are literally going from one race to another with very little time to catch your breath, let alone be able to drink enough water to keep you safely hydrated.

Triathlon stretching exercises That being said, common injuries include muscle strains, muscle cramps, torn ACL, repetitive strain injuries like rotator cuff tears, sprained ankles, and fall-related breaks, cuts and contusions. If you are suffering from heat exhaustion, your balance and vision may be affected, and you can easily trip or stumble while running, or fall off of your cycle. A triathlon is hands-down the most strenuous sport in the world, and the list of potential injuries reflects that.

Injury Prevention Strategies
The best prevention tip of all is to be as fit, flexible and strong as you can possibly be, before even beginning to train for this type of competition. Strength training for endurance purposes, combined with aerobic and cardiovascular training is also recommended. At some point in your training, it is recommended that you add sprint training in all three phases of the competition, to build up strength endurance in swimming, cycling and running.

Here are a few other tips that you can use to lower the risk of injuries during triathlon training and competition.

Warm Up: Always warm-up properly prior to training and especially competition.
Cool Down: Allow an adequate cool-down period and perform after training or competition stretching.
Strength & Conditioning: Strength training leads to reduced potential for injury as it increases the strength of the muscles as well as that of the supporting joints and tendons. Agility training is particularly helpful to the triathlete as it works to improve the ability of the body to quickly adapt to a change in direction, motion and velocity.
Stretching: Stiff joints and muscles will ultimately lead to injured joints and muscles so improving the flexibility of the body will also work to decrease the likelihood of injury. Stretching is a key ingredient to any warm up routine and plays an important role in improving flexibility as it increases the range of motion in joints and the elasticity of muscles.
Gear: You simply have to have the proper gear for every phase of the sport, including a quality cycle helmet and protective eye wear. The importance of maintaining your bike must also be a priority.
Training Aids: Braces and supports can be very beneficial if you have a history of repetitive injuries. Any known weak area of your body should be protected and supported throughout training and competition, especially the joints.
Footwear: The majority of the punishment during the running phase of the race will fall on your feet, and the proper footwear can often mean the difference between running injury free or annoying lower leg injuries.
Rest: After training, you need rest, period. Making sure that you get enough "down-time" and sleep every day, not only on training days, will ensure that your body will adapt to the physical training quicker, and reduces the risk of injuring yourself before you get the chance to compete.
Stay Hydrated: Stay well hydrated by drinking water every 20-30 minutes even if you do not feel thirsty. Dehydration leads to fatigue, nausea, and disorientation, all factors that can result in falls and spills.

The Top 3 Triathlon Stretches
Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance, preventing sports injury and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don't make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won't be effective. Below are 3 very beneficial stretches for triathlon; obviously there are a lot more, but because triathlon uses just about every muscle group in the body it's hard to just pick 3. The stretches below are a good starting point, but if you would like more take a look at the updated 2011 edition of The Stretching Handbook. Please make special note of the instructions beside each stretch.

	Reaching-up Shoulder Stretch: Place one hand behind your back and then reach up between your shoulder blades.
	Kneeling Upper Hip & Quad Stretch: Kneel on one foot and the other knee. If needed, hold on to something to keep your balance and then push your hips forward.
	Standing Toe-up Achilles Stretch: Stand upright and place the ball of your foot onto a step or raised object. Bend your knee and lean forward.

While the above stretches are a good starting point, you'll get a lot more benefit when you include a wider range of exercises. So to improve your performance, reduce injuries and really take advantage of all the stretching exercises on offer, grab a copy of the updated 2011 edition of the Stretching Handbook and accompanying DVD. Together, they include 135 clear photographs and 44 video demonstrations of unique stretching exercises for every major muscle group in your body.

The DVD also included 3 customized stretching routines (8 minutes each) for the Upper Body; the Lower Body; and the Neck, Back & Core, plus a bonus DVD-ROM feature that allows you to print out over 80 stretching routines for 22 sports and 19 different muscle groups.

The Handbook and DVD will show you, step-by-step, how to perform each stretch correctly. Plus, you'll also learn the 7 critical rules for safe stretching; the benefits of flexibility; and how to stretch properly. Check out the Stretching Handbook & DVD for yourself.

About the Author: Brad is often referred to as the Stretch Coach and has even been called the Stretching Guru. Magazines such as Runners World, Bicycling, Triathlete, Swimming & Fitness, and Triathlon Sports have all featured his work. Amazon has listed his books on five Best-Seller lists. Google cites over 100,000 references to him and his work on the internet. And satisfied customers from 42 countries have sent 100's of testimonials. If you want to know about stretching and flexibility, Brad Walker is the go-to-guy.

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