‘Roping Shoulder’ hits every roper at least once. This common ailment is easily recognized by sore, aching muscles resulting from long days of roping and is usually ignored until scratching your head becomes an impossible feat.
Roping is a dynamic movement requiring incredible fitness and flexibility from your entire arm from the shoulder to the finger tip. A clean catch is a work of art appearing effortless. One tight muscle or one ill-timed cramp can cost you the money and the cow. Arm fitness tremendously impacts roping success.
Your typical week probably includes enough grunt work to tighten up your back and arms enough to limit your mobility. In order to perform in the arena, add some stretches to your routine and give yourself the advantage of loose, flexible muscles. A stretched muscle is stronger and reacts faster than a tight muscle, plus has the added advantage of not aching or cramping.
These four simple stretches can be done anywhere and will vastly ease your swing:
1) Prayer Stretch. Start by placing the palms of your hands together as if you’re praying. Press evenly through the palms and the length of each finger. Arms should be at a 90 degree angle from your hands. This stretches your forearm muscles, the palms of your hands and even your fingers.
2) Arm & Shoulder Extension. Then interlace your fingers and stretch your arms straight out in front of you, opening the palms as much as you can. You should feel a stretch from your shoulders through your arms to your hands.
3) Overhead Stretch. Next keeping the arms extended, raise your arms high above your head. This allows your should blade to move outward to open the shoulder and back.
4) Triceps Stretch. Finally stretch deeper into your shoulder by letting one hand fall down your back by bending the elbow. Then add gentle traction either with the opposite hand on the elbow or by using a rope to pull the forearm down. Repeat with the opposite arm. This opens the shoulder even further by stretching the triceps and latissimus dorsi muscles.
Tips for stretching: Only stretch as far as you can feel slight discomfort but no pain. Never force it and don’t bounce. Hold each stretch for 3 – 5 slow breaths. Repeat 3 times every day and you’ll see fast improvements. With looser muscles and greater range of motion, you’ll notice easier swings and longer throws. You’ll be able to rope more often with less soreness.
About the Author: Judy Fiddick is the owner of BeYond Massage Therapy in Alberta, Canada. You can read more of her helpful tips on her blog at http://beyondmassagetherapy.blogspot.com.
