Stretch of the Week: Carioca/ Grapevines
By JD Fields, DPT
AZOPT Goodyear Physical Therapist
How to Perform: Start in an athletic position and begin by moving to your left. Drive your right leg up and across your body, crossing the leg in front of your left and planting it on the ground. Then bring your left across your right, returning to the starting position. Now while maintaining balance, cross the right leg behind the left leg and plant it on the ground. Again, move the left foot to the athletic starting position. You will continue this pattern for a stretch of 30 feet. Repeat facing the same way but going the opposite direction and with the opposite feet.
Why Perform This: This exercise warms our body up to perform lateral movements as well as helps improve agility and coordination/foot work. This movement drills more coordination than stretching, but yet, is just as important for activity! Incorporating this movement will help prepare you to perform advanced tasks while decreasing your risk of ankle sprains or loss of balance.
Please note: This activity requires advanced balance. Perform at a comfortable pace and do not perform if you feel unsafe with any of these singular motions.
