Stretching before exercise 'is counter-productive'

[Ramrod]

I have said this for the last 17 years.....

Stretching before exercise is counter-productive and should only be done afterwards, scientists say

link
Might help some CF members perform better at their sports

[Stuart]

Interestingly when I had to renew my membership of my local leisure centre, and go through the initial training again (they claimed they couldn't find a record of me ever going there, although, oddly, the new card has exactly the same member number as the old one, so I suspect it was an excuse to charge me an extra £20), they didn't mention stretching when talking about warm up exercises.

Last time I went through the initial training (years ago), I am certain they recommended it..

[danielf]

Hmm, being somewhat prone to calf injuries when playing squash, my impression is that I tend to have less problems when I stretch my dodgy calf before playing.

[Ramrod]

I have always found that streching before intense physical activity decreases my speed and focus.
Warming up however, maintains it.
Warm up before, stretch after.

---------- Post added at 23:04 ---------- Previous post was at 23:03 ----------

Originally Posted by danielf

Hmm, being somewhat prone to calf injuries when playing squash, my impression is that I tend to have less problems when I stretch my dodgy calf before playing.

Try simply warming up your calf.......calf raises on one leg while standing?

---------- Post added at 23:06 ---------- Previous post was at 23:04 ----------

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Last time I went through the initial training (years ago), I am certain they recommended it..

They would have done. This research is under 20 years old and it takes at least 15-20 years for stuff like this to filter down to street level.....

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Try simply warming up your calf.......calf raises on one leg while standing?

Cheers. I never thought of that. Having just tried 25, that actually sounds/feels like good excercise for that calf.

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by danielf

Cheers. I never thought of that. Having just tried 25, that actually sounds/feels like good excercise for that calf.

For extra effect, try that off the bottom stair so that your heel drops lower than your toes......like on a calf raise machine. (but be careful not to slip off the step)

[Hom3r]

Exercise

---------- Post added at 10:54 ---------- Previous post was at 10:53 ----------

Oh Exercise

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

Exercise

I got some kettlebells a couple of weeks ago

[Angua]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

For extra effect, try that off the bottom stair so that your heel drops lower than your toes......like on a calf raise machine. (but be careful not to slip off the step)

This is also suggested as a treatment for Plantar Fasciitis (Arch supports worked better for me).

[speedfreak]

If I dont stretch then Id pull everything just running up the street but then my exercise for the week is climbing up ladders into peoples lofts, probably why Im on blood pressure tablets at 28 Weirdly I get some sort of "buzz" stretching my legs

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by Angua

This is also suggested as a treatment for Plantar Fasciitis (Arch supports worked better for me).

Arch supports just stop you streching the plantar fascia. If you want to give it some slack (so you don't have to keep waering arch supports) stretch it
Also, freeze a round plastic bottle of water and use it as an ice massage by rolling it under your foot firmly.....