To Stretch or Not to Stretch? The Answer Is Elastic
Good article from the NY Times:
www.nytimes.com/.../13Best.html
Excerpt:
The truth is that after dozens of studies and years of debate, no one really knows whether stretching helps, harms, or does anything in particular for performance or injury rates. Yet most athletes remain convinced that stretching helps, and recently more and more have felt a sort of social pressure to show that they are limber, in part due to the popularity of yoga. Flexibility has become another area where many athletes want to excel.
Great topic, was just wondering about this the other day as I was forced to stretch for 5 minutes before and after spin class, including my shoulders, which don't even get used.
I have never stretched, don't plan to stretch and know just as many avid stretchers with injuries as those of us who don't. Obviously, this is not a study on my behalf.
I am notoriously inflexible, can't come close to touching my ankles. I see folks twisted all up for a long time before they work out and all I can think is that they are delaying their workout or wasting valuable workout time. That's just me, the rest of you yogites keep up the good work!
Great topic, was just wondering about this the other day as I was forced to stretch for 5 minutes before and after spin class, including my shoulders, which don't even get used.
I have never stretched, don't plan to stretch and know just as many avid stretchers with injuries as those of us who don't. Obviously, this is not a study on my behalf.
I am notoriously inflexible, can't come close to touching my ankles. I see folks twisted all up for a long time before they work out and all I can think is that they are delaying their workout or wasting valuable workout time. That's just me, the rest of you yogites keep up the good work!
