9.04.2010

Stretch before or after workout?

I previously posted an article on the importance of stretching. In NO WAY do I rescind that post. Stretching is extremely important for your muscles to loosen them up (they tighten with each contraction during exercise), release toxins, and lengthen out. But the argument I bring from this NYTimes research article is when to stretch? Researchers found that "Static stretching had proved to be a wash in terms of protecting against injury. It “neither prevented nor induced injury when compared with not stretching before running,”  CLICK HERE to read the article. Throughout my running career I have employed this technique: "... the best science suggests that an ideal preworkout routine 'consists of a very easy warm-up, followed by a gradual increase in intensity and then dynamic stretching,” I believe and have found in research that stretching AFTER your run/workout is the most important. Muscles are warm from the workout therefore limber and less likely to tear or over-stretch but instead ease the tightness they developed while working out. The best way? YOGA! Unlike static stretching (holding one stretch/pose for 30+ seconds), dynamic stretching such as a stretch yoga moves through a series of fluid motions. Click HERE for a great athlete yoga routine.

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