Physical Control in Care Training Manual - Independent Advisory ...

PHYSICAL CONTROL IN CARESTRETCHING EXERCISESThe purpose of a preparatory stretch is to ready the large musclegroups which are to be used throughout a PCC training session. Thestretches should be held for up to ten seconds. Remember theobjective of a preparatory stretch is to ready the muscles and not todevelop flexibility.Although there is no significant scientific evidence to state that youneed to stretch in a warm up. It’s both logical and appropriate to do soto fully prepare the body for the training session. A cold muscle has areduced blood flow and as such is relatively inelastic which wouldincrease the potential for muscle strain.KEY POINTS• Stretching should not be performed prior to the pulse-raiser.• Duration of the warm up should be between 5 – 10 minutes.• De-conditioned, sedentary and unfit staff will require a longerand more gradual approach and will fatigue quicker on atraining session.© National Offender Management Service National Tactical Response GroupJuly 201055