If your sport involves a lot of twisting, then a shoulder and trunk stretch should be a part of your flexibility program. This would include golfers, cricketers, baseball players, and anyone who plays racket sports.
While more dynamic movements should be included as a part of your warm-up routine, a static shoulder and trunk stretch of this nature will be developmental - that is, it will gradually increase your range of motion.
In addition, exercises such as this shoulder and trunk stretch are important because they improve a range of different muscle groups, rather than simply focusing on one muscle - this is a more accurate reflection of the movements you make in your sports.
This is a standing exercise, performed as follows:
- Standing tall, grasp your right upper arm with the left hand.
- Take your right arm back behind you, to the right.
- Be sure to keep your hips facing forward, and twist the upper body and head around to the right.
- Hold for 30 seconds, then relax and repeat for the other side.
You should feel this in the left rear deltoid, the upper back, and the lower back. This is an excellent movement to do as a part of your cool down.
