Re: Poll - Multiple answers can be made in the poll - select all that apply.
I have heard people say it's better to stretch before workout and others say it is better to stretch during/after workouts.
I have also heard people say stretching before is a good way to hurt yourself.
I have always believed stretching before workout is better and have swum better.
I wanted to get your feedback and links if any supporting your views.
Thanks
I agree with all of the above, with the exception that stretching has no known health benefits. The positive impact of stretching on my clients and myself is very apparent. As a longtime (22 years) certified fitness professional, I work predominantly with adults over 55 years of age.
People who avoid stretching and range-of-motion activities that move joints a variety of different ways often lose the mobility required to do ADL (activities of daily living). This isn't always the case because some individuals just naturally are more flexible and some people (swimmers for example) engage in exercise which involves complex joint movements. I happen to have muscles and connective tissue that tends toward the tightness of piano wire so I have always had to work hard to keep tissues lengthened with stretching, rolling, and massage.
Muscles and joints can become so thickened and restricted that eventually, people are unable to reach dishes on high cupboard shelves, reach behind them to fasten a clasp or bend down to pick up an object or even get in and out of a car. For this reason, I do flexibility work with all of my clients.
Many people (myself included) also have flexibility imbalances (on side tighter than the other), which causes dysfunctional movement and often eventually injury (I happen to have a tighter piriformis and IT band on my left side). By becoming aware of problem areas and stretching the muscles that are causing the imbalance, the person may experience less pain and move with more ease.
I agree with all of the above, with the exception that stretching has no known health benefits. The positive impact of stretching on my clients and myself is very apparent. As a longtime (22 years) certified fitness professional, I work predominantly with adults over 55 years of age.
People who avoid stretching and range-of-motion activities that move joints a variety of different ways often lose the mobility required to do ADL (activities of daily living). This isn't always the case because some individuals just naturally are more flexible and some people (swimmers for example) engage in exercise which involves complex joint movements. I happen to have muscles and connective tissue that tends toward the tightness of piano wire so I have always had to work hard to keep tissues lengthened with stretching, rolling, and massage.
Muscles and joints can become so thickened and restricted that eventually, people are unable to reach dishes on high cupboard shelves, reach behind them to fasten a clasp or bend down to pick up an object or even get in and out of a car. For this reason, I do flexibility work with all of my clients.
Many people (myself included) also have flexibility imbalances (on side tighter than the other), which causes dysfunctional movement and often eventually injury (I happen to have a tighter piriformis and IT band on my left side). By becoming aware of problem areas and stretching the muscles that are causing the imbalance, the person may experience less pain and move with more ease.
