How does the cold affect muscle contraction?

Muscles contract... all the time. Always. Forever, until you don't use them anymore, so how does the cold play a part in muscle contraction? What choices can we make to keep our muscles warm and active and agile? Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of studies done on the effects of cold and muscle elasticity and stiffness, but research concludes that--yes--cold does impact muscle contraction and performance.

Adenosphine Triphosphate (ATP) is a molecule that carries energy within cells. Most of ATP is created through the breakdown of what we consume (food) using oxygen resulting in CO2 and water. In colder weather, the rate that oxygen is released is slower therefore affecting the full functionality of the muscle. So as you can see, oxygen is in itself food for our muscle's health and wellness.

The problem then lies in our behaviors that develop as a result of our like or dislike to cold weather. If we dislike cold weather, we will revert to the perpetual fetal position. This could be while you stand, with your chin and head protruding forward, shoulders hunched, and back fully rounded. We go into fetal positions at work when we're sitting in front of our screens for hours at a time. We are in fetal when we sleep, our knees in front of our bodies and our backs, once again in a rounded position and fully flexed embryonic catatonic state.

In cold temperatures, we seek warmth and this is why it is absolutely crucial to develop daily rituals that help nourish these wonderful bodies we live in. Exercise, stretching, and bodywork all do amazing things to keep our muscles happy. One of my favorite things about winter is seeing my clients come in from the cold, and laughing at their reaction to a heated massage table--or-- being able to warm up their bodies with bodywork that will help support their movement through gravity.

If you're looking for ways to warm up your muscles at home, try a bit of yoga for tension relief.

Much love and gratitude,
Evan