The conventional wisdom says it is. But research on the subject is considerably more murky. (Hat tip: Ben Elder Jr.)
Is Stretching Before Exercise a Good Idea?
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According to that guy that runs 10 marathons back to back to back to back, “Jack LaLanne has a great quote: “Ever seen a lion warm up?” I don’t stretch. I’ve tried it, but I just don’t see the benefit.”
http://www.keepmedia.com/pubs/Esquire/2005/03/01/720628?ba=a&bi=1&bp=24
Personally, I stretch stuff that is usually sore after I run. Other than that, as soon as my GPS unit is good to go, so am I!
According to that guy that runs 10 marathons back to back to back to back, “Jack LaLanne has a great quote: “Ever seen a lion warm up?” I don’t stretch. I’ve tried it, but I just don’t see the benefit.”
http://www.keepmedia.com/pubs/Esquire/2005/03/01/720628?ba=a&bi=1&bp=24
Personally, I stretch stuff that is usually sore after I run. Other than that, as soon as my GPS unit is good to go, so am I!
I remember doing a school project on this and basically what I found is little-to-no proof that stretching prevents injuries. Moreover, ‘warming-up’ (jog etc, at a high enough intensity to just start breaking a sweat) was far more beneficial than simple stretches, particularly for peak performance.
again though, this was highly unscientific and doesn’t explain why all the coaches I ever hadalways insisted that we stretch
I remember doing a school project on this and basically what I found is little-to-no proof that stretching prevents injuries. Moreover, ‘warming-up’ (jog etc, at a high enough intensity to just start breaking a sweat) was far more beneficial than simple stretches, particularly for peak performance.
again though, this was highly unscientific and doesn’t explain why all the coaches I ever hadalways insisted that we stretch
I am also a runner, and I was actually surprised when I began that most runner’s sites and magazines do point out that you should not stretch until you are either warmed up or finished with your work out. Goes against everything we’re told in gym class, but at least they’re getting the word out.
The new emphasis is on a thorough warm-up as opposed to stretching.
I’ve also seen references to studies that showed more flexible runners actually were more prone to injury, likely because of a lower level of structural stability.
Ditto on the GPS unit comment, by the way.
I am also a runner, and I was actually surprised when I began that most runner’s sites and magazines do point out that you should not stretch until you are either warmed up or finished with your work out. Goes against everything we’re told in gym class, but at least they’re getting the word out.
The new emphasis is on a thorough warm-up as opposed to stretching.
I’ve also seen references to studies that showed more flexible runners actually were more prone to injury, likely because of a lower level of structural stability.
Ditto on the GPS unit comment, by the way.
The analogy I was given is that it’s like putting a rubber band in the freezer and then trying to stretch it — it snaps and breaks. Thus, warm up first with moderate cardio exercise and then stretch.
The analogy I was given is that it’s like putting a rubber band in the freezer and then trying to stretch it — it snaps and breaks. Thus, warm up first with moderate cardio exercise and then stretch.