Doing stretches after a game, training or practice increases running speed in softball players, says a top softball peak performance coach.

According to Canada-based softball coach Marc Dagenais, increasing the flexibility of the muscles using stretches can help improve the running speed of athletes, including softball players.

To achieve the desired results, Dagenais recommends athletes to devote several minutes after a game, practice or workout to stretch. The muscles should be stretched for 30-60 seconds, or more, for tight muscles. He also recommends that athletes do this at least three times a week to see significant results.

"Softball players will surely benefit from post-game stretching," says Dagenais. "Softball is a game of speed and power, and with regular post-game stretches, players will be able to run faster than ever before," he adds.

When asked about the basis of his report, Dagenais refers to the findings of the study conducted by Caplan, Rogers, Parr and Hayes published in July at the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

The study entitled, "The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and static stretch training on running mechanics," found that stretching improves the joints' range of movement and running mechanics, which according to Dagenais aids in increasing an athlete's running speed.

Dagenais is a softball coach with more than 20 years of coaching teams that include the Canadian Women's Softball National Team.

For more details about this information, contact Marc Dagenais or visit his website at www.softballperformance.com.

About Marc Dagenais:

Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS, is a softball peak performance coach that helps players and teams hit with more power, run faster, throw harder, be mentally tougher, and more dominant on the field.

Contact:

Marc Dagenais

M.O. Dagenais & Associates, Inc.

154 Charlotte St., Suite #C508

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

H2X 4A1

+1-866-589-0439

<a href="http://www.softballperformance.com/">Softball Performance</a>

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