Stretching: how much and how long?

5 watchers

larkim Mar 2020 7:05am, 3 Mar 2020 10,484 posts	0 larkim (I might be better than you at the moment HG, but I'm most definitely not better than you as an athlete!)
Fragile Do Not Bend Mar 2020 7:11am, 3 Mar 2020 5,483 posts	0 Fragile Do Not Bend I’m not a good runner but I have plenty of personal experience of injury I only stretch when I’ve been running with a group and I feel it’s expected of me. In my study of one, I’ve not noticed any correlation between stretching or not and injury - by far the biggest factor for me in reducing injury has been improving my running form.
Fragile Do Not Bend Mar 2020 7:14am, 3 Mar 2020 5,484 posts	0 Fragile Do Not Bend I also think strength exercises help, as well as active (rather than passive) stretching. But that’s done in a separate session to running.
westmoors Mar 2020 7:14am, 3 Mar 2020 3,812 posts	0 westmoors I don't stretch to prevent injury. Stretching after exercise is to return muscles to their original length. I find it prevents muscle soreness.
Northern Exile Mar 2020 9:11am, 3 Mar 2020 6,011 posts	0 Northern Exile I stretch very regularly, every morning I devote a timeslot to it and have a fixed routine that I try and adhere to. Stretching helps me a lot, but then I have an inflammatory arthritis condition that needs to be managed and this is an important part of it. For instance, if I don't regularly stretch my hamstrings I get terrific lower back pain from the QLs.
Garfield Mar 2020 5:02pm, 6 Mar 2020 12,073 posts	0 Garfield I do yoga as part strengthening, part stretching. An hour, several times a week. I've started the mornings with Sun Salutations as well as a way to warm up my muscles recently.