The matter of to stretch or not to stretch can be weighing on the minds of competitive athletes and regular fitness enthusiasts alike. There is of course an argument for both sides, with some sticking to the more antiquated and accepted theory of the past that has dictated that one should always stretch before any type of activity. Yet there is mounting scientific and physiological data showing that this previously held notion could be not only false but doing harm. It then seems that the world of exercisers and fitness experts are pitted against each other. And so, could we be having a war between the yogis and the runners?
One of the more common memories of those looking back on their younger days of school physical education is one in which you were forced to complete some standard set of stretches at the beginning of class. These ranged from the butterfly stretch to the quad stretch, and then once you were what was deemed loosened up you could then proceed to play in a game or go on a run. Stretching advocates claim that by combining both static stretching (holding a single
pose for a period of time) and dynamic stretching (stretches that combine movement and a full range of motion) are imperative at not only getting your body ready to work out but in building flexibility. Yet those opposed to stretching no matter what claim that stretching when you are cold or not properly warmed up will not only make you predisposed to muscle injury or tears, but can further reduce your muscle strength significantly.
In a number of tests out of the University of Nevada, Professor Holocomb reported that athletes forced to stretch beforehand lowered their musculature power by 30 per cent. This is not good news to the competitive athlete! Because the muscles have not had adequate time to work into these movements, stretching cold will do much more harm than good, and just like a frozen rubber band, could cause your muscles to snap.
Okay, well there must be some sort of middle ground to the great stretching debate? And it appears that there is; you will do well to stretch, both dynamically and statically, only after you are warm, loose, and have had adequate time to get your muscles working. The best times would be at the end of your workout or game following your cool down. Stretching does have its place, and the biggest fallacy that seems to be uncovered is that it is best to stretch AFTER your workout, not before.
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