Pre-exercise stretching and running economy.
There has been much argument regarding pre-exercise stretching and how it impacts running economy. The following link is to an article I found on EBSCO regarding this subject. I have inserted the title and abstract for you to read.
Pre-Exercise Stretching Does Not Impact Upon Running Economy.
Philip R. Hayes & Adrian Walker / Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2007 (21)4, 1227 - 1232
ABSTRACT.
Pre-exercise stretching does not impact upon running economy.
21(4):1227-1232.
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 3 different pre-exercise stretching routines on running economy. Seven competitive male middle and long-distance runners (mean ± height: 175.0 ± 8.8 cm; mass: 67.8 ± 8.6 kg; Vtr^max: 66.8 ± 7.0 mlkg 'min ') volunteered to participate in this study. Each Participant completed 4 different pre-exercise conditions: (a) a control condition, (b) static stretching, (c) progressive static stretching, and (d) dynamic stretching. Each stretching routine consisted of 2 x 30-Beyond stretches for each of 5 exercises. Dependent Variables measured were sit and reach test before and after each pre-exercise routine, running economy (ml kg and steady-state oxygen uptake) which were measured during the final 3 minutes of a 10-minute run below lactate threshold. All 3 stretching routines resulted in an increase in the range of movement change in either running economy (p - 0.915) or steady-state Vo^ (p = 0.943). The lack of change in running economy was most likely because it was assessed after a period of submaximal running, which may have masked any effects from the stretching protocols. Previously reported reductions in performance have been attributed to reduced motor unit activation, presumably IIX. In this study, these motor units were likely not to have been recruited; this may explain the unimpaired performance. This study suggests that pre-exercise stretching has no impact Hayes, P.R., and A. Walker. Pre-exercise stretchingJ. Strength Cond. Res.2007.—Pre-exercise stretching has been widelySD) age: 32.5 ± 7.7 years;'-km M,(p = 0.0081. There was no impact on running ecnonomy or submaximal exercise oxygen cost.
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Comments
One of the "old school" mentalities was that stretching became more important after running than before. Sounds by the study that what type of stretching you partake in is also not that big of a factor.