CanFitPro Personal Training Specialist Practice Test

How should breathing be coordinated with stretching?

1. Inhale while stretching, exhale while relaxing

2. Inhale and exhale rapidly while stretching

3. Inhale to prepare and exhale while stretching

4. Hold breath during stretching

The correct answer is: Inhale to prepare and exhale while stretching

When stretching, it is important to coordinate your breathing with the movements to ensure that your muscles are receiving enough oxygen and that you are able to relax fully into the stretch. Inhaling to prepare for the stretch allows you to fill your lungs with air and expand your chest, providing a stable base for the stretch. Then, as you exhale while stretching, your body can sink deeper into the stretch and release any tension in the muscles. Option A may seem like a reasonable choice, but exhaling while relaxing can cause your muscles to tense up again and undo the benefits of the stretch. Inhaling and exhaling rapidly, as in option B, can disrupt your rhythm and make it difficult to focus on both breathing and stretching effectively. Option D, holding your breath, can cause increased tension and reduced circulation, making it more difficult to stretch properly. Therefore, the most effective and advised way to