Get this: Stretching before running does not prevent injury according to a study published at the USA Track & Field website. However, enthusiasm matters!
The study found a slight increase in "reported" injuries in the non-stretching group. However, "serious" injuries measured by a week or more off practice, did not increase. Why?
So you are a runner who volunteered to participate. If you were used to stretching, and were randomly assigned to a non-stretching group, you'd be pretty scared, right? Yeah, so 22% of such people reported an injury to a medical professional. Only 11% of those who were not used to stretching did.
Bottom line, though it's hard to believe given what we have been hearing since middle school, a warm-up is just that: an increase in your body temperature. Stretching feels good and is a worthwhile exercise in and of itself. However, it is highly optional.
A note of caution: This study used a specific stretch regiment that looks right about what most people do: 10 second hold like this, 20 sec like that, so many reps, so many things. It does not address yoga-style stretching alternatives and also does not examine long-term effect of stretching (like if you've been doing it for years - are you less likely to be hurt in general? Yeah, probably.)
I love finding these bits and pieces. Thanks to NY Times article by Tara Pope for bringing this information.
No comments:
Post a Comment