What general effect does warming up have on muscles and flexibility?

Warming up has a significant effect on muscles and flexibility, particularly in reducing tension within muscle fibers. When you engage in a proper warm-up routine, your body temperature rises, blood flow to the muscles increases, and the elasticity of muscle fibers improves. This process helps to alleviate tightness and prepares the muscles for more strenuous activity, allowing them to operate more effectively during workouts or competitions. As a result, reduced muscle tension enhances overall performance and decreases the risk of injuries.

By contrast, options that suggest an increase in muscle stiffness, a decrease in range of motion, or an increase in muscle tension do not align with the physiological benefits of warming up. Instead, the goal of a warm-up is to prepare the body for exercise, optimizing muscle function and mobility.