Why does stretching help before sports?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Increases muscle flexibility
Cools muscles down — Wrong. Stretching doesn't cool muscles—warming up actually raises muscle temperature. Stretching improves flexibility.
Removes waste from muscles — Wrong. Waste removal happens through blood circulation, not stretching. Stretching primarily affects muscle length and flexibility.
Increases muscle flexibility ✓ — Correct! Stretching lengthens muscle fibers and increases range of motion. This prepares muscles for activity and may reduce injury risk. Dynamic stretching before sports is now preferred over static stretching!