Stretching the truth?

[Perry-Formis]

Saw this. What do others think? outsideonline.com/2408467/c...

[Buddy34 Graduate]

I think there will always be a difference of opinion in what to do before running etc.

For me I did and still do a 5 minute brisk warm up walk and do the stretching advised on here at the end of my 5 minutes warm down walk and it still works😊

[Perry-Formis in reply to Buddy34]

Yes. That's what I have been doing and intend to keep doing. Thanks for the reply.

[Hidden in reply to Buddy34]

Me too. And it works.

[islandrunner Graduate]

I don't stretch before a run, I do a 5 min walk pre, then 5 min walk post, then just a handful of static stretches.

In the exercise I do, I'm not looking to be more flexible.

It's intersting, because both clubbercise and kettlercise have a number of static stretches as part of the cool down, maybe they are wasting everyone's time with that part, but it's no bother !

[Perry-Formis in reply to islandrunner]

Thanks for the reply. That is my routine too, think I will stick to it for the time being.

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Although I have read about some of the research on stretching, I have to admit I do still like to do a few gentle static stretches before I run and always have a warm up and warm down walk too. I guess we all try different routines and find what works best for us. 🙂

[Perry-Formis in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks for reply.

[Dexy5 Graduate]

A few Dynamic stretches and a 5 minute walk before a run for me but I do do the NHS after run stretches after a run when muscles are warm. They are static.

Having said that , my OH has been running over 50 years and he still does static stretches before running or hockey - old school. It doesn’t seem to do him any harm.

[Perry-Formis in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks for the reply.

[Speedy60 Graduate]

I'm not sure many people touch their toes before running. I like to make sure I'm warm, my heart rate is up and my knees, hips and shoulders have gone through their full range of movement. No idea what would happen if I didn't and I don't want to find out.

[Perry-Formis in reply to Speedy60]

Good advice. I hope you never find out. Thanks for the reply.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

The important phrase that I took from this was "Basically, it appears that being healthy and active is enough to maintain a reasonable level of flexibility."

Most people starting C25k have not historically been fit and active, hence the muscle and joint aches they experience when starting an alien exercise regime. I will still recommend post run static stretching to all new runners, simply because I know from personal and second hand experience how much it helps to ease aches and tensions.

Most of the studies over the years are based on established runners whose bodies are developed well beyond the stage of most newbies on this forum.

I work on the basis that if I can bend down to put my socks on, standing on one leg, then I can bend down to put my socks on, standing on one leg...........when I stop doing this, I know that inflexibility will creep in.

One other point about post run stretching; muscles can contract if pushed hard and gently pulling out the contractions can improve blood flow and therefore recovery..................or does it?

Pre run, dynamic stretching is definitely the way to go.

[Perry-Formis in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for the reply. Hope you can maintain your sock putting on regime for many years to come. Will look into dynamic stretching.

[Moonglow42]

I have never been very flexible (I still cannot touch my toes). When I was in the athletics team at school (many years ago) - static stretches were the be all and end all but I have no idea if any of it actually helped.

However, I find a few dynamic stretches and the brisk 5 minutes walk before my runs work fine for me - especially as I run early morning and would need to warm up after waking up. I do a few static stretches at the end which I find works for me as I have had no aches or pains so far.

[Perry-Formis in reply to Moonglow42]

Thanks for the reply. I will look into dynamic stretching.

[Larrykat Graduate]

When running on my own, I do a warm up walk, my run and then static stretches when I finish. When training with my running club, we do a warm up jog followed by drills and strides prior to the training and then static stretches to finish.

[Perry-Formis in reply to Larrykat]

Thanks for the reply