Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Is Stretching Bad for you?

Is Stretching Bad for you?

If you are an athlete, Maybe.

Contrary to conventional belief and research in the 1980's and 90's, pre-exercise stretching neither improves performance nor decreases injuries.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that traditional static stretching actually decreases performance in activities that require strength, speed, and power. Studies of strength and power have demonstrated performance decreases of as much as 30% for up to 60 minutes after exercise.

A second major reason that many coaches and athletes still view static stretching as an important preactivity ritual is the belief that it reduces the likelihood of subsequent injury. Yet, A study of lower limb injuries among 1,538 male army recruits found that pre-exercise static stretching had no effect on injury rates after a 12-week stretching protocol.

So if you are stretching to prevent injury, while you are not doing harm, you are likely wasting your time.

Although the verdict is not out yet, other warm-up activities, including general muscle warming exercises
and dynamic active range-of-motion exercises, might be most beneficial in improving physical performance.