Pre-Workout Stretching Won't Prevent Sore Muscles

[Docta J]

hey guys, just came across this article and thought it was interesting, figured I'd share

THURSDAY, Oct. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Millions of gym buffs do it regularly, but stretching before or after exercise will not prevent muscle soreness, a new study contends.

Australian researchers reviewed findings from 10 studies, each involving from 10 to 30 people.

Nine of the studies in this review were conducted in laboratory settings, and the time spent stretching by participants varied from 40 seconds to 10 minutes. Based on a 100-point scale to assess soreness, the review authors concluded that stretching before or after exercise offered little benefit, reducing soreness by less than one point on the 100-point scale.

"The data were remarkably consistent," lead researcher Robert Herbert, of the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney in Australia, said in a prepared statement. "The available evidence suggests that stretching before or after exercise does not prevent muscle soreness in young healthy adults."

However, he and his colleagues said more research is needed to determine whether stretching benefits people with reduced flexibility.

The study was published in The Cochrane Library Newsletter.

Source: http://health.msn.com/dietfitness/ar...2129&gt1=10450

The problem with this study seems to be that its based on user responses which will always have human error (it'd be kinda hard to base soreness on a 100-pt scale exactly lol), but I suppose it does offer some kind of support to the claim that it doesn't help much. Personally I still plan on stretching anyways, if not to prevent sore muscles, at least to keep flexibility as my body size changes

[Elliptical Envy]

The broscience says that stretching pre-workout could cause injuries.

[Gillis11]

I've always been a bigger fan of real lite warm-up sets to get the blood flowing into muscles and loosen everything up.

[Docta J]

Originally Posted by Gillis11

I've always been a bigger fan of real lite warm-up sets to get the blood flowing into muscles and loosen everything up.

Same here, I've always felt that stretching first makes lifting a little bit easier. Maybe it doesn't help too much, but every little bit counts I suppose.

[jpadilla]

Originally Posted by aleemdj2005

Same here, I've always felt that stretching first makes lifting a little bit easier. Maybe it doesn't help too much, but every little bit counts I suppose.

never stretch, doesnt affect my workout at all...i do like two warm up sets, pretty lite, i feel that is better than any stretch, because the point of the stretch is to get blood flowing into thu muscle, but pumping a light weight can do that better than any stretch

[redhawk76]

I know I've read that static stretching prior to a workout can actually reduce power output/strength. I'll always do some kind of dynamic stretching though, if not plyos or 5 mins cardio just to get blood flowing. Static stretching following a workout seems to help recovery and DOMS when I employ it, however.

[GeneGnomeX]

Marc McDougal has some good articles at M&M on warming up.