To Stretch or Not To Stretch – That is the Question

The other day I was training a client and as we were walking a cool down lap I heard some ladies discussing stretching. Should they or shouldn’t they? Should their athletic kids stretch or shouldn’t they? Well the answer is Yes and No for both groups with different application and rationale depending on what you are trying to accomplish.

Without getting to technical, but giving you a basic overview the stretching before activity camp of fans say that stretching before beginning the official workout help the muscles not only warm but elongate to improve the performance of the activity and prevent injury. Okay, most of us moms that were active in our younger days did this type of warm up and we are still here to tell the story, basically injury free.

The dynamic stretching camp says that the muscles become somewhat  sedated after you sit, and chat and stretch the muscles, therefore a dynamic stretch such as drills etc. get your muscles just as warm and elongated  in preparation for the workout as a static stretch as well, as getting them better prepared for ballistic , fast movements.  Static stretching has its place, but only at the end of a workout and end of a day as a pre-sleep stretch routine to help flexibility.  Which is very important for any athlete’s. If you e-mail me at Trackmom1@gmail.com, I will send you a copy of this pre-sleep routine.

Here’s my personal take on it. YES and NO.

An athlete is an individual and needs to be viewed as such. I believe that for the sake of time a dynamic stretch is a better use of the time and it keeps the kids head in the game or in this case the workout as a routine to become better at their chosen sport of interest. My husband, Coach Henry incorporates a nice static stretch of the large muscle groups within the dynamic stretching part of his warm- up (my idea). We both feel it serves the kids the best before they begin the training phase of the workout.

We do the same dynamic stretches and static stretches every work out. The rationale is to informing the body and the brain what is about to occur through repetition. Either a workout or rest.

I believe there is some truth to the fact of a sedated muscle (although stretched muscle) with a static stretch. Why sit or stand quietly when you need to begin the mental and physical pump up in practice or a sporting activity such as racing, jumping throwing or swimming to name a few.  I also believe that as an athlete comes to know her body and the way it should feel to perform properly.

Perhaps they need a bit of static, perhaps they need none, perhaps parents and coaches should be more open to new information at the same time not willing to throw all  the old.

No one has  the definitive on this very important part of the work out so that is where the coaching and parenting come in use your best informed judgment and your parent intuition. That’s what I always do in the end. It hasn’t failed me yet.

Get more great insight on injury prevention, nutrition, youth sports and of course track, at Dr. Lorraine Williams’ web site, TrackMom.com.