When I used to run, I would stretch myself out in a similar way. I didn't do the ones they listed, but all my stretches involved motion. I don't know why I dropped that when I started swimming. I'm going to try going back to that next time I work out. Thanks for the article.
Read the same kind of stuff about a year ago in Megan Jendrick's book. Haven't stretched since then before practices or meets and have felt great... never a problem. Cheers!
I have to say that I absolutely agree with the article. A swimmer in my family (now a coach) used to say the exact same thing. As a young coach I didn't listen, but I have been taking her advice for quite some time now! Thanks for posting the news article!
Fair enough. Does that mean that static stretching is altogether bad, or just that you shouldn't do it before working out? Once you have warmed up or completed your workout, would it be appropriate to do static stretches then? I have some old (10+ years) references that say it's best to do stretches after warming up. Of course that could be contradicted by newer research.
In light of this article, I think static stretches are probably best done after working out or separately. You still need flexibility, so static stretches still need to be done at some point.
This is just my experience, I'm not trying to convert anyone...
I have always been a believer in stretching. I think it keeps me loose and efficient when I swim. (There is probably a psychological aspect as well.)
Furthermore, I stretch before working out and somehow, despite the findings cited in the NYT article, I don't think I lose 30% of my muscle strength (something that I imagine would be pretty noticeable).
But I don't think I really do "static" stretching in the way implied in the artlcle, holding one position for 30 seconds. It is more like 5 seconds. There is a lot of movement when I stretch, though not as much as most of the exercises cited in the article.
I have no doubt that the stretching warms me up, "activates" my muscles. How do I know? Simply from a long time of comparing warmups with and without. And even when I don't stretch on the pool deck before warming up, I do so WHILE I warm up (on the walls, during the stroke itself, etc).
I also seem to need less warmup than many of my workout buddies. Of course, that may be due to years of arriving late to practice, halfway thru warmup, then chatting (maybe while stretching) for another 5-10 min before finally getting in.
Again, YMMV.
In light of this article, I think static stretches are probably best done after working out or separately. You still need flexibility, so static stretches still need to be done at some point.
I agree that the static stretches can be done separately. I have always been told (not that I agree or disagree at this point) that stretching after a full workout is "bad for you". Again, I don't know if this is true or not, but I figured that I would mention it to stir up some more debate!
After a limited sample (two workouts) of active vs static stretching prior to diving in, I would have to agree with this article's premise. I did feel quite a bit looser earlier in my workout, and not as tired until much later.
I am an older swimmer (51) who only gets into the water about three times a week. So perhaps that has something to do with it.
I would be interested to hear if others have put this process to the test and what their experiences are.
I tried doing basically what I used to do before running, and I definitely could feel a difference (in a good way). It sounds to me like you basically do what the article suggests, just without the weird doppelganger movements.
