Difference between revisions of "Stretching"

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Flexibility for runners is a bit like Goldilocks; too little flexibility and you can become injured, but too much flexibility reduces your running efficiency. Stretching can help improve your flexibility and some stretching may be a useful part of your training. However, stretching can temporarily weaken your muscles. To limit the weakness, only a small amount of stretching should be part of your warm-up, with a little more after your run as part of your cool-down. If you believe in flexibility is causing you injury, then stretching to improve your range of motion should be performed well after your run.  
 
Flexibility for runners is a bit like Goldilocks; too little flexibility and you can become injured, but too much flexibility reduces your running efficiency. Stretching can help improve your flexibility and some stretching may be a useful part of your training. However, stretching can temporarily weaken your muscles. To limit the weakness, only a small amount of stretching should be part of your warm-up, with a little more after your run as part of your cool-down. If you believe in flexibility is causing you injury, then stretching to improve your range of motion should be performed well after your run.  
−
 
 
=Introduction=
 
=Introduction=
 
Static stretching is where a [[Muscle|muscle]] is elongated to the Point Of Discomfort (POD), and held for a period of time, often between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Dynamic stretching is where the muscle is moved through its Range Of Motion (ROM), without being held in the stretched position. Generally dynamic stretching starts off with moving through a limited Range Of Motion and builds up gradually. Normally dynamic stretching does not elongate the muscle to the Point Of Discomfort in the way that static stretching does. (Note the dynamic stretching is not "ballistic stretching". Ballistic stretching is where a muscle is bounced against the limits of its movement in an attempt to force it to stretch further.)
 
Static stretching is where a [[Muscle|muscle]] is elongated to the Point Of Discomfort (POD), and held for a period of time, often between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Dynamic stretching is where the muscle is moved through its Range Of Motion (ROM), without being held in the stretched position. Generally dynamic stretching starts off with moving through a limited Range Of Motion and builds up gradually. Normally dynamic stretching does not elongate the muscle to the Point Of Discomfort in the way that static stretching does. (Note the dynamic stretching is not "ballistic stretching". Ballistic stretching is where a muscle is bounced against the limits of its movement in an attempt to force it to stretch further.)
−
 
 
=Recommended stretches=
 
=Recommended stretches=
 
Different types of stretches should be performed at different times and for different objectives.  
 
Different types of stretches should be performed at different times and for different objectives.  
−
 
+
==Warm-up==
−
==Warm-up ==
+
Cold muscles are prone to injury when stretched. Therefore it is best to do any stretching before running as part of the warm-up. The best approach appears to be using dynamic stretching to both warm-up and stretch the muscles. This dynamic stretching should start with a limited range of motion and build up over several repetitions until you are moving through most of your range of motion. The dynamic stretching should not have the goal of improving flexibility in the long term as this is best done at other times.<br/>
−
Cold muscles are prone to injury when stretched. Therefore it is best to do any stretching before running as part of the warm-up. The best approach appears to be using dynamic stretching to both warm-up and stretch the muscles. This dynamic stretching should start with a limited range of motion and build up over several repetitions until you are moving through most of your range of motion. The dynamic stretching should not have the goal of improving flexibility in the long term as this is best done at other times.
+
<html><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v0raLNhGKAc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
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{{#evp:youtube|v0raLNhGKAc|Dynamic Stretching|none}}
 
 
==Mid-run==
 
==Mid-run==
 
Gently moving a limb through its natural Range of Motion can refresh the muscles. This is different to a traditional stretch, as you are not trying to extend a muscle past its comfort point. This approach is the basis for the [[Morton Stretch]].  
 
Gently moving a limb through its natural Range of Motion can refresh the muscles. This is different to a traditional stretch, as you are not trying to extend a muscle past its comfort point. This approach is the basis for the [[Morton Stretch]].  
 
|<html><div class="thumb"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:300px;"><img alt="" src="http://fellrnr.com/images/MortonS.gif" width="300" height="397" class="thumbimage" />  <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"></div>An animation of the [[Morton Stretch]]. </div></div></div></html>
 
|<html><div class="thumb"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:300px;"><img alt="" src="http://fellrnr.com/images/MortonS.gif" width="300" height="397" class="thumbimage" />  <div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"></div>An animation of the [[Morton Stretch]]. </div></div></div></html>
−
 
 
==Cooldown==
 
==Cooldown==
 
After the run, the muscles become delicate and stretching at this point can easily injure them. While stretching before a run does not reduce muscle soreness, I have found gentle stretching after a run can keep the muscles happier. This [[Cooldown]] stretching should not be performed with the objective of improving flexibility. Instead, the stretches should be short (5-10 seconds) and not to the Point Of Discomfort. Think of the stretches as allowing the muscles to elongate fully, rather than trying to forcibly extend them.
 
After the run, the muscles become delicate and stretching at this point can easily injure them. While stretching before a run does not reduce muscle soreness, I have found gentle stretching after a run can keep the muscles happier. This [[Cooldown]] stretching should not be performed with the objective of improving flexibility. Instead, the stretches should be short (5-10 seconds) and not to the Point Of Discomfort. Think of the stretches as allowing the muscles to elongate fully, rather than trying to forcibly extend them.
−
{{#evp:youtube|TUIwnTXL8IM|Simple Stretches|none}}
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<br/>
−
 
+
<html><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TUIwnTXL8IM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>
 
==Improving Flexibility==
 
==Improving Flexibility==
 
Stretching to improve flexibility should be done cautiously. It is easy to overstretch a muscle and cause a slight injury that will actually cause the muscle to heal back even shorter. It is better to stretch slightly too little them slightly too much. Therefore stretches should not be to the Point Of Discomfort, but to the point where you can feel stretch without discomfort. Stretches should be held for 30 seconds or less, and repeated for a total duration of and 90 seconds or less (3x30 seconds, 6x15 seconds, 9x10 seconds, or some other combination.) Passive warming (see below) should be used.  
 
Stretching to improve flexibility should be done cautiously. It is easy to overstretch a muscle and cause a slight injury that will actually cause the muscle to heal back even shorter. It is better to stretch slightly too little them slightly too much. Therefore stretches should not be to the Point Of Discomfort, but to the point where you can feel stretch without discomfort. Stretches should be held for 30 seconds or less, and repeated for a total duration of and 90 seconds or less (3x30 seconds, 6x15 seconds, 9x10 seconds, or some other combination.) Passive warming (see below) should be used.  
−
 
 
==Relieving the discomfort of being motionless==
 
==Relieving the discomfort of being motionless==
 
If you are motionless for some time, such as sitting at a desk or in an aircraft, stretching can relieve the discomfort. The stretches should be gentle and short; just enough to ease the muscles. Care must be taken in this situation is the muscles are cold and tight, and therefore easily overstretched.
 
If you are motionless for some time, such as sitting at a desk or in an aircraft, stretching can relieve the discomfort. The stretches should be gentle and short; just enough to ease the muscles. Care must be taken in this situation is the muscles are cold and tight, and therefore easily overstretched.
−
 
 
=Stretching and muscle weakness=
 
=Stretching and muscle weakness=
 
Static stretching has been shown to improve flexibility<ref name="brandy1997"/>, but causes temporary muscle weakness <ref name="meta"/>. This stretch induced weakness can continue for two hours after the stretching.  The level of weakness of the muscle depends on total length of time spent stretching the muscle. It appears that stretching a muscle for a total of 90 seconds or less reduces the stretch induced weakness. The weakness also seems to be related to the intensity of the stretch, with stretches to the Point Of Discomfort causing more weaknesses than gentler stretching.
 
Static stretching has been shown to improve flexibility<ref name="brandy1997"/>, but causes temporary muscle weakness <ref name="meta"/>. This stretch induced weakness can continue for two hours after the stretching.  The level of weakness of the muscle depends on total length of time spent stretching the muscle. It appears that stretching a muscle for a total of 90 seconds or less reduces the stretch induced weakness. The weakness also seems to be related to the intensity of the stretch, with stretches to the Point Of Discomfort causing more weaknesses than gentler stretching.
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|[[File:Stretching Weakness Running.jpg|none|thumb|500px|The results from 16 studies encompassing 415 participants on the effects of static stretching on Sprint and running performance.  As you can see static stretching has a less significant impact on running than on generalized force and power.]]
 
|[[File:Stretching Weakness Running.jpg|none|thumb|500px|The results from 16 studies encompassing 415 participants on the effects of static stretching on Sprint and running performance.  As you can see static stretching has a less significant impact on running than on generalized force and power.]]
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
 
=Overstretching=
 
=Overstretching=
 
Stretching even slightly too far can injure the muscle. This slight damage can ironically lead to further tightness and reduced Range Of Motion. It is therefore important to err on the side of caution when stretching.
 
Stretching even slightly too far can injure the muscle. This slight damage can ironically lead to further tightness and reduced Range Of Motion. It is therefore important to err on the side of caution when stretching.
−
 
 
=Gentle stretching=
 
=Gentle stretching=
 
Normally static stretching is performed to the Point Of Discomfort (POD). Some studies have used stretching to less than the POD, and have shown that this gentle stretching can actually improve flexibility slightly more than the POD stretches. Given the risk of injury from stretching too far, it seems wise to stretch slightly less rather than pushing to the limit.
 
Normally static stretching is performed to the Point Of Discomfort (POD). Some studies have used stretching to less than the POD, and have shown that this gentle stretching can actually improve flexibility slightly more than the POD stretches. Given the risk of injury from stretching too far, it seems wise to stretch slightly less rather than pushing to the limit.
−
 
 
=How long to hold a static stretch=
 
=How long to hold a static stretch=
 
There is some evidence<ref name="statictime"/> that stretches held for longer than 30 seconds have no additional benefit. In fact, stretches held for as little as 9 seconds have shown to improve flexibility<ref name="shortstretch"/>.
 
There is some evidence<ref name="statictime"/> that stretches held for longer than 30 seconds have no additional benefit. In fact, stretches held for as little as 9 seconds have shown to improve flexibility<ref name="shortstretch"/>.
−
 
 
=Passive warming=
 
=Passive warming=
 
It is better to stretch warm muscles, as cold muscles can easily be injured when stretched. When stretching as part of the warm-up and cool-down, the muscles are naturally warmed by the activity. For stretching at other times however, passive warming can be used. This passive warming could be stretching in a hot room, warming the muscles using a hot water bottle, or an electric blanket.
 
It is better to stretch warm muscles, as cold muscles can easily be injured when stretched. When stretching as part of the warm-up and cool-down, the muscles are naturally warmed by the activity. For stretching at other times however, passive warming can be used. This passive warming could be stretching in a hot room, warming the muscles using a hot water bottle, or an electric blanket.
−
 
 
=Dynamic or static stretching=
 
=Dynamic or static stretching=
 
It is unclear from the research if dynamic stretching improves flexibility as much a static stretching, as different studies have reached different conclusions. It's also unclear if the risk of injury from stretching itself is greater or less with dynamic stretching. Therefore it seems wisest to use dynamic stretching, or very gentle short static stretching as part of the warm-up, and gentle short static stretching in the [[Cooldown]]. Longer periods of static stretching to improve flexibility could be incorporated at other times, when the muscles are not delicate from exercise, and have been warmed passively.
 
It is unclear from the research if dynamic stretching improves flexibility as much a static stretching, as different studies have reached different conclusions. It's also unclear if the risk of injury from stretching itself is greater or less with dynamic stretching. Therefore it seems wisest to use dynamic stretching, or very gentle short static stretching as part of the warm-up, and gentle short static stretching in the [[Cooldown]]. Longer periods of static stretching to improve flexibility could be incorporated at other times, when the muscles are not delicate from exercise, and have been warmed passively.
−
 
 
=Deep stretching with PNF=
 
=Deep stretching with PNF=
 
PNF ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNF_stretching Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation]) is a term that covers several stretching approaches<ref name="pnf"/> that produce a deeper stretch:
 
PNF ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNF_stretching Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation]) is a term that covers several stretching approaches<ref name="pnf"/> that produce a deeper stretch:
Line 57: Line 45:
 
** The stretch is then held, with some recommending the stretch is held until the feeling of stretching is gone.
 
** The stretch is then held, with some recommending the stretch is held until the feeling of stretching is gone.
 
PNF stretching has been shown<ref name="pnf"/> to be an effective way of improving flexibility, and some claim 'contract relax agonist contract' to be the most effective approach. Performing a single repetition of a 'contract relax agonist contract' stretch twice a week, with a gentle contraction of the target muscle (20% of maximum) applied for 3 to 5 seconds is a recommended<ref name="pnf"/> minimum to improve flexibility. (Flexibility can be maintained by doing this stretch once a week.) While PNF stretching is effective I have concerns that it also has a higher injury risk than other forms of stretching. Over the years I have tried a variety of PNF stretching techniques, but I no longer use this approach nor do I recommend it.  
 
PNF stretching has been shown<ref name="pnf"/> to be an effective way of improving flexibility, and some claim 'contract relax agonist contract' to be the most effective approach. Performing a single repetition of a 'contract relax agonist contract' stretch twice a week, with a gentle contraction of the target muscle (20% of maximum) applied for 3 to 5 seconds is a recommended<ref name="pnf"/> minimum to improve flexibility. (Flexibility can be maintained by doing this stretch once a week.) While PNF stretching is effective I have concerns that it also has a higher injury risk than other forms of stretching. Over the years I have tried a variety of PNF stretching techniques, but I no longer use this approach nor do I recommend it.  
−
 
 
=Stretching myths=
 
=Stretching myths=
 
Stretching is claimed to reduce injury, reduce post-exercise muscle soreness and improve performance<ref name="LOR775"/>.  
 
Stretching is claimed to reduce injury, reduce post-exercise muscle soreness and improve performance<ref name="LOR775"/>.  
−
 
 
==Injury Reduction==
 
==Injury Reduction==
 
Running does not require the flexibility of sports like gymnastics, and generally stretching does not reduce injuries. The only exception seems to be the hamstrings, which are stretched as part of normal running. A 1999 meta-study<ref name="SBE"/> reviewed the research at the time and concluded "stretching before exercise does not reduce the risk of injury". A 2005 meta-study <ref name=" SBAAE"/> also showed no evidence to support stretching to reduce injury. A 12 week study of 1,538 army recruits<ref name=" Army"/> showed that stretching 6 different lower leg muscles as part of pre-exercise training did not meaningfully reduce the risk of injury. A study of 10K entrants<ref name=" 10K"/> showed that stretching is correlated to injury, but this may be due to injured runners being more likely to stretch. However, a study<ref name="Hamstring"/>  of 298 (150 intervention, 148 control) Military recruits showed that hamstring stretches reduced the risk of lower limb injury as well as increasing hamstring flexibility.  
 
Running does not require the flexibility of sports like gymnastics, and generally stretching does not reduce injuries. The only exception seems to be the hamstrings, which are stretched as part of normal running. A 1999 meta-study<ref name="SBE"/> reviewed the research at the time and concluded "stretching before exercise does not reduce the risk of injury". A 2005 meta-study <ref name=" SBAAE"/> also showed no evidence to support stretching to reduce injury. A 12 week study of 1,538 army recruits<ref name=" Army"/> showed that stretching 6 different lower leg muscles as part of pre-exercise training did not meaningfully reduce the risk of injury. A study of 10K entrants<ref name=" 10K"/> showed that stretching is correlated to injury, but this may be due to injured runners being more likely to stretch. However, a study<ref name="Hamstring"/>  of 298 (150 intervention, 148 control) Military recruits showed that hamstring stretches reduced the risk of lower limb injury as well as increasing hamstring flexibility.  
−
 
 
==Post-Exercise Muscle Soreness==
 
==Post-Exercise Muscle Soreness==
 
The 2005 meta-study <ref name=" SBAAE"/> showed a slight, but not statistically significant reduction in muscle soreness. A study<ref name="DOMS"/> on stretching and eccentric exercise showed no reduction in [[Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness]].  
 
The 2005 meta-study <ref name=" SBAAE"/> showed a slight, but not statistically significant reduction in muscle soreness. A study<ref name="DOMS"/> on stretching and eccentric exercise showed no reduction in [[Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness]].  
−
 
 
==Performance==
 
==Performance==
−
A study<ref name="SUB"/> of 19 sub-elite runners showed that 47% of the differences in [[Running Economy]] were related to calf and external hip rotation flexibility, with greater flexibility being linked to lower [[Running Economy]]. A study<ref name="INTER"/> of 34 international level runners showed that flexibility in 'sit and reach' test was linked to a lower [[Running Economy]]. However, a 10 week study<ref name="CRONIC"/> of 32 college students did not find that regular stretching actually reduced [[Running Economy]]. It has also been shown<ref name="POWER"/> that stretching reduces the power of muscles, especially static stretching.
+
A study<ref name="SUB"/> of 19 sub-elite runners showed that 47% of the differences in [[Running Economy]] were related to Dorsiflexion of the foot and Standing External Hip Rotation flexibility, with greater flexibility being linked to lower [[Running Economy]]. (Dorsiflexion of the foot is bending the ankle so the toes move towards the shin, which is what happens when you do a calf stretch. Standing External Hip Rotation is shown below.) A study<ref name="INTER"/> of 34 international level runners showed that flexibility in 'sit and reach' test was linked to a lower [[Running Economy]]. It has also been shown<ref name="POWER"/> that stretching reduces the power of muscles, especially static stretching. However, a 10 week study<ref name="CRONIC"/> of 32 college students did not find that regular stretching significantly reduced [[Running Economy]].  
−
 
+
[[File:Standing External Hip Rotation.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Standing External Hip Rotation.]]
 
=References=
 
=References=
 
<references>
 
<references>
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<ref name="pnf">Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretch... [Sports Med. 2006] - PubMed - NCBI http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17052131</ref>
 
<ref name="pnf">Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretch... [Sports Med. 2006] - PubMed - NCBI http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17052131</ref>
 
</references>
 
</references>
 +
[[Category:Beginners]]
 +
[[Category:Training]]
 +
[[Category:Injury]]

Latest revision as of 09:33, 29 September 2015

Flexibility for runners is a bit like Goldilocks; too little flexibility and you can become injured, but too much flexibility reduces your running efficiency. Stretching can help improve your flexibility and some stretching may be a useful part of your training. However, stretching can temporarily weaken your muscles. To limit the weakness, only a small amount of stretching should be part of your warm-up, with a little more after your run as part of your cool-down. If you believe in flexibility is causing you injury, then stretching to improve your range of motion should be performed well after your run.

1 Introduction

Static stretching is where a muscle is elongated to the Point Of Discomfort (POD), and held for a period of time, often between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Dynamic stretching is where the muscle is moved through its Range Of Motion (ROM), without being held in the stretched position. Generally dynamic stretching starts off with moving through a limited Range Of Motion and builds up gradually. Normally dynamic stretching does not elongate the muscle to the Point Of Discomfort in the way that static stretching does. (Note the dynamic stretching is not "ballistic stretching". Ballistic stretching is where a muscle is bounced against the limits of its movement in an attempt to force it to stretch further.)

2 Recommended stretches

Different types of stretches should be performed at different times and for different objectives.

2.1 Warm-up

Cold muscles are prone to injury when stretched. Therefore it is best to do any stretching before running as part of the warm-up. The best approach appears to be using dynamic stretching to both warm-up and stretch the muscles. This dynamic stretching should start with a limited range of motion and build up over several repetitions until you are moving through most of your range of motion. The dynamic stretching should not have the goal of improving flexibility in the long term as this is best done at other times.

2.2 Mid-run

Gently moving a limb through its natural Range of Motion can refresh the muscles. This is different to a traditional stretch, as you are not trying to extend a muscle past its comfort point. This approach is the basis for the Morton Stretch. |

An animation of the [[Morton Stretch]].

2.3 Cooldown

After the run, the muscles become delicate and stretching at this point can easily injure them. While stretching before a run does not reduce muscle soreness, I have found gentle stretching after a run can keep the muscles happier. This Cooldown stretching should not be performed with the objective of improving flexibility. Instead, the stretches should be short (5-10 seconds) and not to the Point Of Discomfort. Think of the stretches as allowing the muscles to elongate fully, rather than trying to forcibly extend them.

2.4 Improving Flexibility

Stretching to improve flexibility should be done cautiously. It is easy to overstretch a muscle and cause a slight injury that will actually cause the muscle to heal back even shorter. It is better to stretch slightly too little them slightly too much. Therefore stretches should not be to the Point Of Discomfort, but to the point where you can feel stretch without discomfort. Stretches should be held for 30 seconds or less, and repeated for a total duration of and 90 seconds or less (3x30 seconds, 6x15 seconds, 9x10 seconds, or some other combination.) Passive warming (see below) should be used.

2.5 Relieving the discomfort of being motionless

If you are motionless for some time, such as sitting at a desk or in an aircraft, stretching can relieve the discomfort. The stretches should be gentle and short; just enough to ease the muscles. Care must be taken in this situation is the muscles are cold and tight, and therefore easily overstretched.

3 Stretching and muscle weakness

Static stretching has been shown to improve flexibility[1], but causes temporary muscle weakness [2]. This stretch induced weakness can continue for two hours after the stretching. The level of weakness of the muscle depends on total length of time spent stretching the muscle. It appears that stretching a muscle for a total of 90 seconds or less reduces the stretch induced weakness. The weakness also seems to be related to the intensity of the stretch, with stretches to the Point Of Discomfort causing more weaknesses than gentler stretching.

The results from 42 studies encompassing 1,606 participants on the effects of static stretch on force and power. As you can see, stretching generally produces a significant impairment.
The results from 16 studies encompassing 415 participants on the effects of static stretching on Sprint and running performance. As you can see static stretching has a less significant impact on running than on generalized force and power.

4 Overstretching

Stretching even slightly too far can injure the muscle. This slight damage can ironically lead to further tightness and reduced Range Of Motion. It is therefore important to err on the side of caution when stretching.

5 Gentle stretching

Normally static stretching is performed to the Point Of Discomfort (POD). Some studies have used stretching to less than the POD, and have shown that this gentle stretching can actually improve flexibility slightly more than the POD stretches. Given the risk of injury from stretching too far, it seems wise to stretch slightly less rather than pushing to the limit.

6 How long to hold a static stretch

There is some evidence[3] that stretches held for longer than 30 seconds have no additional benefit. In fact, stretches held for as little as 9 seconds have shown to improve flexibility[4].

7 Passive warming

It is better to stretch warm muscles, as cold muscles can easily be injured when stretched. When stretching as part of the warm-up and cool-down, the muscles are naturally warmed by the activity. For stretching at other times however, passive warming can be used. This passive warming could be stretching in a hot room, warming the muscles using a hot water bottle, or an electric blanket.

8 Dynamic or static stretching

It is unclear from the research if dynamic stretching improves flexibility as much a static stretching, as different studies have reached different conclusions. It's also unclear if the risk of injury from stretching itself is greater or less with dynamic stretching. Therefore it seems wisest to use dynamic stretching, or very gentle short static stretching as part of the warm-up, and gentle short static stretching in the Cooldown. Longer periods of static stretching to improve flexibility could be incorporated at other times, when the muscles are not delicate from exercise, and have been warmed passively.

9 Deep stretching with PNF

PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) is a term that covers several stretching approaches[5] that produce a deeper stretch:

  • Hold and relax. A muscle is initially stretched and while the stretch is held, the muscle is consciously relaxed and then stretched further. This conscious relaxation produces a deeper stretch.
  • Contract and relax. Here the muscle is initially stretched, then while the muscle is held in the stretched position, it is contracted (tightened), then relaxed, and finally stretched further. This period of muscular contraction produces a deeper stretch than 'hold and relax'.
  • Antagonist contract. The antagonist muscle is the one that has the opposite direction. For instance, the quads are the antagonist of the hamstrings. This technique utilizes the fact that contracting one muscle relaxes its antagonist and vice versa. The 'antagonist contract stretch' uses a contraction of the antagonist to stretch the muscle. So to stretch the hamstring, the quads are used to apply the stretching force, rather than bending from the hips with a straight leg.
  • Contract relax agonist contract. This approach combines 'contract relax' and 'antagonist contract'. The target muscle is stretched, contracted, relaxed, the antagonist is contracted and muscle stretched further. For example to stretch the hamstring, the following sequence is used:
    • The leg is straightened, and the hamstring is initially stretched by bending at the waist
    • The hamstring is contracted and relaxed, and then the hamstring stretch slightly further.
    • The quads are contracted and relaxed, and then the hamstring stretched further again.
    • The stretch is then held, with some recommending the stretch is held until the feeling of stretching is gone.

PNF stretching has been shown[5] to be an effective way of improving flexibility, and some claim 'contract relax agonist contract' to be the most effective approach. Performing a single repetition of a 'contract relax agonist contract' stretch twice a week, with a gentle contraction of the target muscle (20% of maximum) applied for 3 to 5 seconds is a recommended[5] minimum to improve flexibility. (Flexibility can be maintained by doing this stretch once a week.) While PNF stretching is effective I have concerns that it also has a higher injury risk than other forms of stretching. Over the years I have tried a variety of PNF stretching techniques, but I no longer use this approach nor do I recommend it.

10 Stretching myths

Stretching is claimed to reduce injury, reduce post-exercise muscle soreness and improve performance[6].

10.1 Injury Reduction

Running does not require the flexibility of sports like gymnastics, and generally stretching does not reduce injuries. The only exception seems to be the hamstrings, which are stretched as part of normal running. A 1999 meta-study[7] reviewed the research at the time and concluded "stretching before exercise does not reduce the risk of injury". A 2005 meta-study [8] also showed no evidence to support stretching to reduce injury. A 12 week study of 1,538 army recruits[9] showed that stretching 6 different lower leg muscles as part of pre-exercise training did not meaningfully reduce the risk of injury. A study of 10K entrants[10] showed that stretching is correlated to injury, but this may be due to injured runners being more likely to stretch. However, a study[11] of 298 (150 intervention, 148 control) Military recruits showed that hamstring stretches reduced the risk of lower limb injury as well as increasing hamstring flexibility.

10.2 Post-Exercise Muscle Soreness

The 2005 meta-study [8] showed a slight, but not statistically significant reduction in muscle soreness. A study[12] on stretching and eccentric exercise showed no reduction in Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.

10.3 Performance

A study[13] of 19 sub-elite runners showed that 47% of the differences in Running Economy were related to Dorsiflexion of the foot and Standing External Hip Rotation flexibility, with greater flexibility being linked to lower Running Economy. (Dorsiflexion of the foot is bending the ankle so the toes move towards the shin, which is what happens when you do a calf stretch. Standing External Hip Rotation is shown below.) A study[14] of 34 international level runners showed that flexibility in 'sit and reach' test was linked to a lower Running Economy. It has also been shown[15] that stretching reduces the power of muscles, especially static stretching. However, a 10 week study[16] of 32 college students did not find that regular stretching significantly reduced Running Economy.

Standing External Hip Rotation.

11 References

  1. ↑ The effect of time and frequency of static stretch... [Phys Ther. 1997] - PubMed - NCBI http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9327823
  2. ↑ A review of the acute effects of static a... [Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21373870
  3. ↑ The effect of time and frequency of static stretch... [Phys Ther. 1997] - PubMed - NCBI http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9327823
  4. ↑ Effects of static stretching on th... [J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1991] - PubMed - NCBI http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18796808
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretch... [Sports Med. 2006] - PubMed - NCBI http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17052131
  6. ↑ The Lore of Running, page 775
  7. ↑ Stretching before exercise does not reduce the risk of local muscle injury: a critical review of the clinical and basic science literature http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10593217
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Stretching Before and After Exercise: Effect on Muscle Soreness and Injury Risk http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1250267/
  9. ↑ A randomized trial of preexercise stretching for prevention of lower-limb injury http://www.tothemaxfit.com/articles/pdf/PreexerPreventInjury.pdf
  10. ↑ Injuries to runners: A study of entrants to a 10,000 meter race http://ajs.sagepub.com/content/14/2/151.short
  11. ↑ Increasing Hamstring Flexibility Decreases Lower Extremity Overuse Injuries in Military Basic Trainees http://ajs.sagepub.com/content/27/2/173.short
  12. ↑ The effects of preexercise stretching on muscular soreness, tenderness and force loss following heavy eccentric exercise http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119076815/abstract
  13. ↑ The association between flexibility and running economy in sub-elite male distance runners http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8784761
  14. ↑ Running economy is negatively related to sit-and-reach test performance in international-standard distance runners. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11774065
  15. ↑ Acute Effects of Static and Ballistic Stretching on Measures of Strength and Power http://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2008/09000/Acute_Effects_of_Static_and_Ballistic_Stretching.6.aspx
  16. ↑ Chronic stretching and running economy http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119021773/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
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