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- ACE Fitness: What are the different types of stretching techniques?
- "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise"; The Impact of Stretching on Sports Injury Risk: A Systematic Review of the Literature; S.B. Thacker, et al.; March 2004
- "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise"; The Impact of Stretching on Sports Injury Risk: A Systematic Review of the Literature; S.B. Thacker, et al.; March 2004
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The Importance of Stretching Before Running

Stretching helps you maintain optimal joint function for athletic performance. While the benefits of stretching before running have not been conclusively proven or disproven, stretching is still recommended as part of an overall running regimen, preferably after you have performed a warm-up. Before you stretch, consider some basic guidelines to optimize your results.
Warm Muscles Respond Best
Stretching is best performed when your muscle fibers are warm. Stretching a cold muscle can result in microtears in the muscle fibers and fascia that lead to pain and increased stiffness. Before stretching, perform a brief warm up consisting of five to 10 minutes of moderate intensity cardio. You can also warm your muscles by taking a hot bath or shower, or using a sauna. Dynamic stretches performed before your run can increase your muscle spindle length and prepare your muscles for activity. Static stretches after your run can help your muscles relax and restore them to their resting length.
Dynamic Pre-Run Stretching
Dynamic stretching can help improve blood flow and lubricate joints and muscles, which is why it purportedly helps avoid injuries. Dynamic stretching involves moving your joints through their greatest range of motion in a repetitive rhythmic pattern. A good dynamic pre-run stretch is a forward and back leg swing to optimize your groin muscle range of motion. Support yourself next to a wall or post and hold your trunk erect with contracted abs. Kick your outside leg forward from the hip as high as it will go, then swing it back as far as it will go. Repeat 10 times, increasing the arc of swing with each repetition. Do three sets on each leg.
Static Pre-Run Stretching
After warming up and performing dynamic stretches, you can add static stretches. A static stretch takes your muscle to its longest length and holds it there for an extended time, usually about 15 to 60 seconds. You should always relax into your static stretch while breathing rhythmically. Do not bounce into your stretch, as it is likely to tear muscle fibers. Static stretches may be more beneficial at the end of your run, to restore muscle fiber length and relax your muscles.
Recommendations
According to a 2004 study published in the "Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine", regular stretching improves force, jump height, and speed, although there is no evidence that it improves running economy. If you choose to stretch before you run, warm up for five to 10 minutes by jogging or walking. The journal "Marathon Training" recommends that runners focus on stretching all the major leg muscle groups including your calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, groin and hip flexors.
References
- Marathon Training: Marathon Training Program: Stretching
- ACE Fitness: What are the different types of stretching techniques?
- "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise"; The Impact of Stretching on Sports Injury Risk: A Systematic Review of the Literature; S.B. Thacker, et al.; March 2004
- "Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine"; Does Stretching Improve Performance?: A Systematic and Critical Review of the Literature; Ian Shrier; September 2004
- Trehearn TL, Buresh RJ. Sit-and-reach flexibility and running economy of men and women collegiate distance runners. J Strength Cond Res. 2009 Jan;23(1):158-62.
- Andersen, J. C. Stretching Before and After Exercise: Effect on Muscle Soreness and Injury Risk. Journal of Athletic Training 40(2005): 218-220
- Herbert RD, de Noronha M. Stretching to prevent or reduce muscle soreness after exercise. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 4.
- Ian Shrier MD, PhD and Kav Gossal MD. The Myths and Truths of Stretching: Individualized Recommendations for Healthy Muscles, The Physician and Sportsmedicine, VOL 28, #8, August 2000.
- Witvrouw, Erik, Nele Mahieu, Lieven Danneels, and Peter McNair. Stretching and Injury Prevention An Obscure Relationship. Sports Medicine 34.7(2004): 443-449
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Writer Bio
Solomon Branch specializes in nutrition, health, acupuncture, herbal medicine and integrative medicine. He has a B.A. in English from George Mason University, as well as a master's degree in traditional Chinese medicine.