Stretching does not prevent injury ?

[Deleted member 61728]

I thought stretching after a gentle warm up was the best way to prevent running injuries but according to this it doesn't prevent any, only increases the chances of injuries .

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12459173



Do you do the usual hamstring,quad stretches where your out running ?

 

[dekez]

Actually it says shifting your pattern causes injury and:

runners who normally stretch before running but were placed in the non-stretch group, were the most likely to have an injury.

So if you stretch, keep stretching, if you don't, don't worry about it.

 

[Richie]

I never stretch before a run. Granted they are mostly only small 5K runs I do but I have not had any probs so far with no stretching (touch wood). In fact, I very rarely stretch after a run either.

 

[dekez]

I always stretch after a run, don't think I'd be able to walk the next day if I didn't!

I don't bother before though, it seems a bit pointless to me untill the muscles are warmed up.

 

[Swiftan]

Being flexible prevents injuries no doubt. But stretching before exercise is a bit pointless, it needs to be part of your daily routine or done after exercise.

Mobility has made me both stronger and injury proof (prior to breaking my leg skiing)

http://mobilitywod.blogspot.com/ for anyone looking to improve mobility. really good advice.

 

[WantoN]

Static stretching pre-workout actives GTO, reducing muscle contractability. It's poitless pre-workout.

Dynamic warmup is where its at, increasing effective range, muscle fibre recruiment and temperature.

Ant

 

[Badgi]

This has long been debated, as there is no conclusive evidence to support that stretching before exercise has any sort of positive effect, nor any conclusive evidence that it would have a negative effect, either.

I personally don't bother stretching before a run, I just warm up and go.