What’s the best time
to do your stretching?
to do your stretching?
Posted December 9th, 2006 at 7:00 AM by Jeanie Rebb
Section: Running & Training, Training Tips, Health & Fitness, Exercise
Stretching should always be done after your muscles are warmed up. Warming up raises muscle temperature to make them more pliable and resistant to injury. Resting muscle temperature is only about 97 degrees, but a slow jog around the block or any similar warm-up activity will raise muscle temperature to more than 99 degrees. Then you can do your stretches, or you can stretch after you finish your workout.
There’s no good evidence that stretching prevents injuries, but stretching that is done properly can help to make you a better athlete.
Competitive athletes stretch to make muscles and tendons longer to generate a greater torque about a joint, so they can lift heavier, run faster, jump higher or throw further. Stretch no further than you can hold for a few seconds. Bouncing gives you a longer stretch, but it can tear muscles.
Only competitive athletes need to stretch further than they can hold for a few seconds. Forceful stretching will give you greater flexibility than slow deliberate stretching, but it increases your chances of injuring yourself. If you’re over 50, be extra careful because older muscles are less springy and more likely to tear.
***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***
This post is written by Dr. Gabe Mirkin, M.D. and was originally published on his blog “Fitness and Health E-Zine”.
Dr. Mirkin is board certified in Sports Medicine and has practiced for over 40 years. He has completed more than 40 marathons and was a talk show host of a nationally-syndicated radio program for about 25 years. For more articles by Dr. Mirkin, please check out: www.DrMirkin.com
Please also be advised that Dr. Mirkin’s opinions and the references cited are for information only, and are not intended to diagnose or prescribe. For your specific diagnosis and treatment, consult your doctor or health care provider.
***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***
Tags: injury prevention, joints, muscles, stretching, warm up
Like what you see? Subscribe to our feed!
The Final Sprint