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Features of a walking shoe
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Slide show
Slide show: A guide to 10 basic stretches
By Mayo Clinic staff
Shoulder stretch with towel
Your shoulder's internal rotators are part of the group of muscles often used in overhead sports. To stretch these muscles:
- Grasp a rolled-up towel firmly with both hands, as shown.
- Gently pull the towel toward the ceiling with your top hand. You'll feel a stretch in the shoulder of your opposite arm as your lower hand is gently pulled farther up your back.
- Hold for about 30 seconds.
- Switch hands and repeat.
References
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 4, 2011.
- Montico MP, et al. Injury prevention. In: McKeag DB, et al. ACSM's Primary Care Sports Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007:133.
- Woods K, et al. Warm-up and stretching in the prevention of muscular injury. Sports Medicine. 2007;37:1089.
- Beedle BB, et al. No difference in pre- and postexercise stretching on flexibility. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2007;21:780.
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