Lately, I've been receiving a lot of questions referring to the latest studies and
research findings, and one question that I receive most queries about concerns the
role that stretching plays as part of the warm up.
Currently, there seems to be a lot of confusion about how and when stretching should
be used as part of the warm up, and some people are under the impression that stretching
should be avoided altogether.
This is a very important issue and needs to be clarified immediately. The rest of
this article is dedicated to dispelling some common myths and misconceptions about
stretching and its' role as part of the warm up.
What has Science got to say?
Most of the studies I've reviewed attempt to determine the effects of stretching
on injury prevention. This is a mistake in itself and shows a lack of understanding
as to how stretching is used as part of an injury prevention program and the warm
up.
Stretching and its effect on physical performance and injury prevention is something
that just can't be measured scientifically. Sure you can measure the effect of stretching
on flexibility with simple tests like the "Sit and Reach" test, but then
to determine how that affects athletic performance or injury susceptibility is near
impossible.
One of the more recent studies on stretching supports this view by concluding;
"
Due to the paucity, heterogeneity and poor quality of the available studies
no definitive conclusions can be drawn as to the value of stretching for reducing
the risk of exercise-related injury." (The efficacy of stretching
for prevention of exercise-related injury: a systematic review of the literature,
2003, Weldon)
To put the above quote in layman's terms; there hasn't been enough studies done
and the studies that have been done are not specific or consistent enough.