The Importance Of Being Flexible

This entry was written on Nov 04, 2008 by our Running Guru Heidi Splete

I'm not sure whether the link to a recent NY Times story, pasted below, will last, but the theme of the story was the dynamic stretching--stretching exercises as part of a motion--is more effective at warming up a muscle than standing (or sitting) and stretching a particular muscle.

I haven't had time to test this extensively, but I did try one hamstring stretch before my weight workout at the gym, and my hamstrings did feel as warmed up as when I stretch by standing and placing one foot on a table or bench.

Here's the stretch: Stand straight, then raise your right leg as high as you can in front of you, keeping your toes pointed straight up. Reach towards your toes with your opposite hand. Drop your leg, keeping it straight as you do so. Repeat six times, then switch sides and do six repeats on the other side.

This alternative theory of stretching doesn't mean that you have to give up the long, easy stretch where you reach and hold a point of mild tension, which can make your body feel more relaxed.

There is room for both types of stretching. And in stretching, as in politics on this election day, there is always something new to learn, and you can incorporate more than one philosophy for a better overall result. Remember that no matter how you stretch, it's important to be flexible--it may help prevent injury, and it will almost certainly make you feel better.

For more details and illustrations of dynamic stretch, here, I hope, is a link to the NY Times story.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/sports/playmagazine/112pewarm.html?_r=1&em&oref=slogin