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Stretching Before Exercise Can Make You Weak |
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Written by Superhuman
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Thursday, 17 January 2008 |
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Until recently, most experts recommended that people stretch before exercise. However, there is no proof that pre-exercise stretching prevents injury. In fact, some studies show that stretching before exercise decreases muscle strength and power, impairs ...
some types of motor performance and may actually increase the risk of injury. Many recent studies found that static stretching (stretch and hold) decreases muscle strength around a single joint during dynamic or static muscle contractions. One study found that stretching only 5 minutes decreased strength and power in the thigh muscles for 2 hours. Yet, many athletes and active people continue to stretch before practice or competition. Researchers from the Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina found that static stretching decreased force output during single- and multiple-joint muscle contractions. The take-home message is simple and important: Don’t do static stretches before lifting weights or participating in athletics or exercises requiring strength and power. Dynamic warm-ups involving the specific movements used in the activity are more effective and will not decrease performance. (Scandinavian Journal Medicine Science Sports, 17:54–60, 2007)
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