Static Stretching - Do it or don't do it???

Post run is fine.

The "Bro" wrote:

Post run is fine.

Is it a waste of time, though?

No.

Meb is a proponent of active isolated stretching/dynamic via Phil Wharton.

Phil know's his stuff; it's much better than the static stuff so do some research.

Stretching is like the ice bath, some people swear by it, others hate it. Both sides can point to different studies to support either claim.

Back in the 80's in HS we would stretch like we were some kinda gymnastics team. It was crazy.

Now I just jog the first mile easy or maybe do some strides or some form of active warm up. BUT when you get injured the PTs always prescribe some form of stretching, so there's that.

aquafina wrote:

BUT when you get injured the PTs always prescribe some form of stretching, so there's that.

I think the basis of that would be that gentle static stretching during the healing process can help with two things:

1) Help the healing muscle heal in the proper length, helps to break down the scar tissue and promote better healing of the muscle cells.

2) While injured, you may be running very little or not at all. This results in a loss of flexibility. Static stretching can help to combat this during the time when you can't do any dynamic stretching due to the injury.

My take on static stretching is that if the runner finds it therapeutic, that is a reason enough to do it in moderation after runs/workouts. An athlete is not a machine, they have emotions as well. If the static stretching helps them mentally or emotionally, then they should do it.

This is also how I feel about massage (or as you pointed out, ice bath). There is a similar lack of strong evidence for these to aid in recovery, but if the athlete enjoys it, it doesn't do any harm if it is done in moderation and carefully.

Now overstretching clearly can do harm, so like everything I argue for moderation. I also still use some dynamic stretching (many "form" drills already achieve some of this) whether the athlete does static stretching or not.

Dynamic stretches before hard efforts. Static stretching post run.

Stretching is worthless, period. That includes 'active' or dynamic stretching as well as static. I do not care how many elite athletes do it. It's a superstition, and a very stupid one.

but why wrote:

Dynamic stretches before hard efforts. Static stretching post run.

This. I'd add that static stretching can sometimes be helpful after certain injuries. But for the most part, dynamic stretching is better.

FYI, I trained with an Olympian a few years back. He was so inflexible he could barely touch his shins, much less his toes. Some types of flexibility are overrated.

Your opinion is worthless, period.

Truisms wrote:

Stretching is worthless, period. That includes 'active' or dynamic stretching as well as static. I do not care how many elite athletes do it. It's a superstition, and a very stupid one.

Don't do it.Everytime I have had an injury it's been after stretching.Whether it's soleus, hip, you name it.Haven't stretched for 5 years...haven't been injured since.

but why wrote:

Your opinion is worthless, period.

Keep stretching then, bitch. Lol

Truisms wrote:

Stretching is worthless, period. That includes 'active' or dynamic stretching as well as static. I do not care how many elite athletes do it. It's a superstition, and a very stupid one.

Agreed. I stopped stretching a year ago and have been hurt exactly 0 times after being hurt ALL the time in college while doing stretching routines. I also do absolutely no core, and likewise never get hurt.

Just run. No, I am not joking, an no, I am not a hobby jogger .

There are some excellent reasons for static stretching post-run, but speed isn't one of them. As mentioned above it lessens the reurn from ground reaction ferce or, to be more specific, returns that force over a longer period of time. The payoff is greater ROM meaning your muscle has more 'travel' before reaching either yield or failure point, and the slower return of the ground reaction force mentioned earlier means the peak stress on tissue is lower.

I do it because, as also mentioned above, I like it which is reason enough in itself. I use it as a reward for sticking through a tough section or whatever, telling myself I can have a cold drink and a nice long stretch after.