Stretching it out
Today’s Workout: 4 mile run
While listening to: shuffle, but Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros kept me going at the end
Stretching. Everyone goes about it differently. Today I really made sure to stretch before my run because I was feeling sore and I’m afraid of hurting myself before race day.
http://bit.ly/eNY4Y7
It’s often debated whether or not stretching before a run is beneficial. A Feb. 17 article on WebMD reported preliminary findings of recent research done concerning stretching prior to running. Daniel Pereles, an orthopaedic surgeon, was quoted as saying, “If you are used to stretching, there is no reason not to stretch. If you aren’t used to stretching, there’s no reason to start.”
The study divided people into groups of stretchers and non-stretchers and had them run as usual. It was discovered that, when individuals switched between groups, their risk of injury increased. Doctors haven’t quite been able to narrow down the reason for the increase, though.
A blog on Consumer Reports analyzed the same study, which determined stretching prior to running did not prevent injury, and reminded its readers, “Stretching can improve your range of motion, coordination, balance, and posture, all of which make it easier not only to exercise but also to move through your daily activities.”
The blog also recommended stretching after a run when your muscles are warmed up and are less susceptible to injury. Looking for some stretches to do?
Runner’s World Magazine recommends dynamic stretching instead of static stretching (30 sec/longer holds) before a run. Here’s a video from sparkpeople.com that explains stretching dos & don’ts:
