Doctors explain why it's important to warm up and cool down the next time you hit the gym

According to doctors, warming up before and cooling down after you hit the gym or do any sport activity is very important to minimize and avoid any sports injuries.

At a press conference on sports injury prevention Wednesday, orthopedic Dr. Philip Hermida said, "When you warm up, you gradually increase your blood pressure."

Photo by Abigail Keenan on Unsplash

According to Cardiologist Dr. Lucky Cuenza, warming up can actually already help determine an undiagnosed heart disease.

If you look the cardiovascular system as an engine, Cuenza said, warming up would make you feel if "your engine is running smoothly."

Palpitations, chest pain or other symptoms during warm up are already clues "to determine if you can perform the exercise," Cuenza continued. "Warm ups are important because it allows you to gauge your engine, your heart if it is functioning properly."

Stretching, meanwhile will allow you to ease into your exercise. "In stretching, you make tendons and ligament stretch out so when you do movements, hindi ka mabibigla," Hermida said. 

Cooling down is just as important because it "helps you achieve a normal level or base level of your heart rate and blood pressure so as you don't faint after doing [your workout]," Hermida said.

"If you suddenly stop, all the blood is pooled in your thighs, your lungs. That’s why you see people faint in marathon," he added.

"The key," Hermida said, "is gradual decceleration of the activity."

Hermida suggested at least five minutes of doing cooling down exercises such as breathing exercises or light walks, and five minutes of warming up exercises, like jogging in place and jumping jacks. — LA, GMA News