Stretching, running, and a little knowledge

Interesting study discussed in today's NY Times, where a group of college distance runners were tested, and an inverse correlation was found between flexibility and running efficiency. The study's authors hypothesize that greater muscle tightness essentially permits a springier step, recycling more of the runner's energy.

There may be something to this, even though the study looked at only eight runners, but the article then goes on to present a rather skeptical view of the benefits of stretching in other contexts as well -- which has not been well received in the comments.

In fact, much of the dismissive attitude towards stretching consists of straw-man arguments, showcasing stretching techniques long since shown to be ineffective or counterproductive -- most notably, stretching cold, before a workout (though the practice does continue, as middle-aged athletes continue to follow what they were taught, years ago). And just because it takes a good long time to see significantly increased flexibility, doesn't mean that stretching doesn't work -- especially since only a small increase may be necessary to restore free motion and proper posture. Finally, a major reason to stretch is not to improve flexibility so much as to preserve it. The old ounce of prevention, and all that.

Posted by David on November 25, 2009 12:04 PM