Stretching
can improve the range of motion of your joints and increase flexibility -
it will also get your blood flowing. Information on preventing or
promoting injury from the practice of stretching is still unknown.
It appears to be a natural humanly thing to do. I honestly think that it is not necessary to stretch for low intensity exercises. For evidence sake: we've been walking since the day we are born.
We didn't stop and even think that before we learn to walk, to stretch first. We just learned to walk. And we don't need to stretch every time we walk to the bus stop or to the car. We as humans don't even consciously think of such things on a daily basis.
If you are doing an intense exercise like lifting weights or interval training, then you should definitely stretch beforehand.
The Mayo Clinic Suggests that holding a stretch for over 30 seconds could cause an injury. The Clinic also advises to avoid stretching before doing any high performance exercise as it may affect your performance.
Another suggestion is that stretching could waste your energy prior to exercising. As you've probably figured out - stretching is highly debatable.
So should you Stretch or Not Stretch?
I myself personally stretch both before and after any intense exercise like strength training. I have never stretched before a walk and have also never received any injury of any sort from doing so.
It's ultimately your choice to stretch before or after and light exercise. You should know your body and what you can and cannot do at the moment.
What is it that your body will handle?
The initial purposes to stretching were said to improve performance and to reduce injury. The benefits as stated by various clinics and health centers are; increased flexibility, improved mobility in joints and helps blood flow.
Yoga is a good example of a full-out stretching and strength exercise. There are many approaches and it really does challenge a person. You can also stretch after going for a brisk walk or any other cardiovascular exercise. Doing so could possibly keep your body in that "burning mode" even after you have stopped moving!
Whatever it is that you decide to do, always remember that it is what you do habitually that counts and not the short term temporary changes. Long term is always the best term and if you decide to stretch - make it a part of your habitual life.
It appears to be a natural humanly thing to do. I honestly think that it is not necessary to stretch for low intensity exercises. For evidence sake: we've been walking since the day we are born.
We didn't stop and even think that before we learn to walk, to stretch first. We just learned to walk. And we don't need to stretch every time we walk to the bus stop or to the car. We as humans don't even consciously think of such things on a daily basis.
If you are doing an intense exercise like lifting weights or interval training, then you should definitely stretch beforehand.
The Mayo Clinic Suggests that holding a stretch for over 30 seconds could cause an injury. The Clinic also advises to avoid stretching before doing any high performance exercise as it may affect your performance.
Another suggestion is that stretching could waste your energy prior to exercising. As you've probably figured out - stretching is highly debatable.
So should you Stretch or Not Stretch?
I myself personally stretch both before and after any intense exercise like strength training. I have never stretched before a walk and have also never received any injury of any sort from doing so.
It's ultimately your choice to stretch before or after and light exercise. You should know your body and what you can and cannot do at the moment.
What is it that your body will handle?
The initial purposes to stretching were said to improve performance and to reduce injury. The benefits as stated by various clinics and health centers are; increased flexibility, improved mobility in joints and helps blood flow.
Yoga is a good example of a full-out stretching and strength exercise. There are many approaches and it really does challenge a person. You can also stretch after going for a brisk walk or any other cardiovascular exercise. Doing so could possibly keep your body in that "burning mode" even after you have stopped moving!
Whatever it is that you decide to do, always remember that it is what you do habitually that counts and not the short term temporary changes. Long term is always the best term and if you decide to stretch - make it a part of your habitual life.
