Comments on: Stretching (the truth)

By: Megan Kretz

Megan Kretz — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:54:46 +0000

Matthew, you make a good point that there may be some positives to stretching, just not injury prevention or better performance (according to the studies). But some people just do stretching because they enjoy it or because they like how it makes them feel later, and there’s nothing wrong with that as long it’s done correctly.
-Matt

By: Megan Kretz

Megan Kretz — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:51:02 +0000

Megan, I haven’t seen any research about dynamic stretching, but at the very least it’s better than static because it serves as a warmup by raising your heart rate. Also, the dynamic stretches I do (and probably yours as well) are also mild strength exercises, and that could explain why you get good results from doing them.
-Matt

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Wiping the Tuto Out of My Brain « American Gourmande — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:55:49 +0000

[...] The verdict? It actually wasn’t too bad! My bath water wasn’t as cold as it could have been, as I didn’t have the time to let the water cool down more, but it was definitely effective. And perhaps a better alternative to stretching? [...]

By: Matthew

Matthew — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:05:53 +0000

i agree with you on this one, but i don’t think that stretching is all bad. stretching removes lactic acid from your muscles, which i think is a good thing to do after those long runs to make the following day bearable.

also, it can prevent cramps, but i don’t think that stretching right before your run is the best thing. i like to stretch about an hour before my run if i havent done some yoga that day.

By: Katie Drummond

Katie Drummond — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:37:17 +0000

What? No stretching? Seriously?

I mean, I don’t stretch before a run – that’s just stupid (so says groupthink) but AFTER?

I’m scared.

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Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:29:03 +0000

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By: Megan Kretz

Megan Kretz — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:17:17 +0000

I agree that static stretching probably doesn’t provide much benefit to runners, but I’ve seen a lot of results from things like foam rolling, yoga, and dynamic stretches (leg swings, etc). Have you come across research that differentiates these types of exercise from old-fashioned stretching?
-Megan

By: Coates Bateman

Coates Bateman — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:09:04 +0000

I remember reading a NYTimes article written a couple of years ago that had a quote along the lines of: ‘have you ever seen a cheetah stretch before it goes after its prey?’ and that stuck with me.