Changes

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 actually significantly reduced [[Running Economy]]. It has also been shown<ref name="POWER"/> that stretching reduces the power of muscles, especially static stretching.