Frequent readers of JYAJ know that I don’t do many stretching exercises. On occasion, I do a little Yoga but I’m not consistent. In 2008, when I did do yoga fairly regularly, I didn’t notice much difference in the way my muscles felt. 
My brother thinks I’m nuts for not stretching.
According to most researchers, my brother is wrong.
According to this article at Run to Win, twice as many researchers say people should avoid stretching as researchers who recommend it.
He lists an interesting collection of quotes. Ones that I find most compelling.
- “Incidence of injury (whether you stretched or not) was not significantly different…”
- “New evidence suggests that stretching immediately before exercise does not prevent overuse or acute injuries”
- “The results of this review do not support the role of pre-exercise or postexercise stretching as an intervention addressing postexercise muscle soreness.”
- “Greater flexibility may impair performance in sports that do not require a high degree of flexibility such as running (or joggling).”
To stretch or not
If you like to stretch, don’t fret. There is no real evidence that suggests stretching will be bad for you. There just isn’t anything that says it will be good for you. Since I’d rather spend my time running, juggling, or joggling, I’m going to keep following my non-stretching ways.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I recommend the foam roller. I use that in the evenings when I’m sore and it’s far more effective than stretching ever was anyway, and there are definite health benefits to using one such as increased blood flow to your sore muscles which helps them heal damage from your workout faster.
Chi Running recommends loosening up the ligaments, but not stretching the muscles. I like that….
I think it’s very beneficial stretching after a run. Since i started doing it, i rarely worry about injury.