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Here's an interesting article for those of you who listen to me and are into exercise.
Posted on Thu, Aug. 29, 2002
Joggers Beware, Stretching Does Not Stop the Pain
Reuters
Joggers Beware, Stretching Does Not Stop the Pain
Reuters
LONDON - Joggers beware. Stretching before or even after exercise does not prevent muscle soreness or reduce the risk of injury, according to a controversial survey published in the British Medical Journal on Friday.
The finding comes from an assessment by researchers in Australia of five existing studies which concluded that so little was the benefit from stretching that it simply wasn't worth the effort.
"The studies showed that stretching reduces soreness by less than two mm on a 100 mm scale. Most athletes will consider effects of this magnitude too small to make stretching worthwhile," the authors said.
Most athletes stretch religiously before running, jumping or lifting to warm up their muscles and tendons ready for action.
But even more startlingly, the researchers also found that stretching before training by army recruits -- considered to be a high-risk group -- on average prevented just one injury every 23 years.
I run about 5 to 20 miles per week and I never stretch beforehand. I always figured running the first mile stretched me enough for the second and third miles. Now a scientific study supports the idea that stretching isn't really necessary. Of course this is only one person's opinion and if stretching makes you feel good, keep doing it -- it should do you no harm.
Dr. Rehert
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