The great STRETCH debate - vote here

1. A (5-10)
2. C (2)

1 - a (never)
2 - b (1xfour weeks off with hamstring)

a, a

better answer my own thread

a, c

1)b
2)0

I'm susceptible to ITBS and I've had some glute-med tightness within the last two years that shut my running down. My physio gave me some stretches to do on a daily basis and when I do them I am injury free. When I stop stretching for a few days the glutes bother me and so does my IT band. I truly do not buy the argument that stretching does nothing to prevent injuries, screw the statisctics. Stretching is keeping me on the roads.

So the short answer is:

1) 5-10 minutes every day, some days more than this
2) 1 injury

(b) 5-10
(a) 0

I don't consider it a vote on what others should do. Clearly there's lots of individual variation: some run well and injury-free for decades with no stretching, others swear by yoga several times a week. Trial & error says I really must do some, and more if/when things get tight (piriformis lately).

I stretch 1 minute every day. You didn't provide that option.

At my age, 3 score and counting, injury is a relative term. It's hard to say if I'm injured, pre-injured, recovering from injury, or just banged up so bad no three strides will ever be the same again. But, all in all, I'm running 5-6 miles per day in 7-8 minute range, thinking I'm hot stuff.

1. b Actually, less than 5 minutes, but as someone else noted, you didn't provide that option.
2. a

I don't think of stretching as something I do to prevent injury. For me, it's more of a performance issue, something that might help to keep my stride from getting too short and tight, a constant battle at 57 years old.

1. A or B
2. C (2)

I don't stretch every day but use the foam roller every day.

As a side note, some studies have been done showing greater flexibility gains by stretching only every 2nd or 3rd day. The logic behind this is similar to multiple recovery days between strength training.

1. never
2. 3 times (never made me miss more than 2 days though)

1) C
2) A

I don't do yoga a lot, once a week tops. But 15+ minutes of stretching after runs plus form drills keep everything tuned well. Ice Helps as well.
Haven't been injured where I couldn't run at all.

B and A

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dr stretch wrote:

what is the verdict people? Please answer just two questions:

1. How much do you stretch?
a) not at all
b) about 5-10mins each day
c) 10mins +

2. How many running injuries have you had in the last two years that have stopped you running? (count separate occurrences of the same injury as multiple injuries)
a) O
b) 1
c) 2-3
d) 4+

Results will be tallied as they come in. Vote now!

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It isn't just if you stretch, but how and when. Other factors such as improper training, biomechanics, strengthening exercises, etc. also have their part to play in injury occurrence. This summation of factors makes it more difficult to determine the stretch/injury relationship.

I think you should've also provided a category for stretching pre-run or post-run to compare with how many injuries you've sustained.

B
A

A
A

You should include a 3rd answer that includes PR's.

B 5-10
A once

1. b - always after runs, sometimes before
2. b - groin injury last summer, although I have constant arch issues that don't stop me from running