As mentioned in a previous news story, we have developed a partnership with the Ottawa High Performance Centre that is going to provide you with tips to become the best version of yourself. Tips will be released bi-weekly on our website!

The first tip was about drinking plenty of water, and the second tip can be seen below - provided by Carole Woodstock, the Certified Hollistic Nutritionist with the Ottawa High Performance Centre.

Hip Flexors

Our hip flexors are very important muscles that every athlete uses. Hip flexors are also vulnerable to being tight and kept in shortened positions due to work lifestyles and lack of stretching. Chronic tight hip flexors not only will affect your athletic/sport performance, but can be a prelude to groin strains, abdominal strains, low back pain, knee pain as well as many other injuries and conditions.

It's very important to attend to your hip flexors for both lifestyle and sport performance.
  
1. Hip flexor stretch

Down on one knee in a lunge position, back leg is relaxed on the floor and upper body is up tall. Gently shift your body weight forward through front leg. Stay upright. Stretch will occur in the front of the back leg. Hold for 15 to 20 seconds comfortably. Repeat 3-4 times.

2. Standing hip flexor stretch

Take a step out in front as to take a lunge. Do not place back knee on the ground. Keep upper body upright. Gently shift body weight forward through front leg. Stretch will occur in front of thigh on back leg. Hold for 15 to 20 seconds comfortably. Repeat 3-4 times.