The case for stretching–for flexibility, injury-prevention, or soreness-reduction–seems to be pretty weak. But as someone who was “born with the hamstrings of a shorter man,” and whose relatively tight, well, everything, feels like an impediment on the bike, but also running and swimming, I’ve been mulling this issue, and sporadically stretching, for some time.
As you have figured out, there is little evidence that stretching for endurance sports has significant benefits. That said, it is likely that functional flexibility has benefits. However, the best way to get that type of specific flexibility is to simply move.
In other words, want better swimming flexibility? The best way to get that is to just swim.
As you have figured out, there is little evidence that stretching for endurance sports has significant benefits. That said, it is likely that functional flexibility has benefits. However, the best way to get that type of specific flexibility is to simply move.
In other words, want better swimming flexibility? The best way to get that is to just swim.
I notice it most acutely on the bike. My hips are rather inflexible, and that has ramifications for my position on the bike and my biomechanics. A lot of work with a local fitter has dialed in a pretty functional position, albeit within the constraints of my lack of flexibility. You’re saying just biking a lot may ease that over time?
Certainly, running a lot is not making me more flexible–on the contrary, it feels like it has exactly the opposite effect over time.
Swimming is interesting, inflexibility feels like much less of an impediment and I could be persuaded that swimming itself can help there.
I had a lot of back pain over the years (hockey, water skiing) cycling, swimming and running it was worse. Esp kick work swimming. Seriously limiting my pool time too much pain.
As I said in this video, it’s those strong lower pelvis to lumbar connections that just pull or gnaw at the lower lumbar because they are too tight. You know it!
I designed this stretch from various elements - a hanging swimmer’s stretch, yoga and some things I was doing in the TRX. Put them all together and bingo, I have not had back trouble since. I do this most days. If I don’t my back starts to get sore and I just spend 10 minutes or so hanging around. I also like to stretch and roll my quads and do core work from time to time.
But give this one a try. My PT was quite impressed said I should “patent it” Too late for that!
I had a lot of back pain over the years (hockey, water skiing) cycling, swimming and running it was worse. Esp kick work swimming. Seriously limiting my pool time too much pain.
As I said in this video, it’s those strong lower pelvis to lumbar connections that just pull or gnaw at the lower lumbar because they are too tight. You know it!
I designed this stretch from various elements - a hanging swimmer’s stretch, yoga and some things I was doing in the TRX. Put them all together and bingo, I have not had back trouble since. I do this most days. If I don’t my back starts to get sore and I just spend 10 minutes or so hanging around. I also like to stretch and roll my quads and do core work from time to time.
But give this one a try. My PT was quite impressed said I should “patent it” Too late for that!
Tightness in the legs from the bottom up was the and always has been the source of my back, foot and leg problems. Moving from power lifting to triathlon meant my normal core routine which offset the pain was not there anymore so when I get to longer distances, I would get back pain. Tried yoga and I found it worked wonders. After going regularly a couple of months, I was able to maintain flexibility and mitigate the pain with minimal effort. I found power worked well, but burned calories needed for training or left me to tired to adequately train on the same day, so I switched to yin which was less intense. Pretty much pain free and when plantar fasciitis acts up I go to a class and it seems to ease a lot.
I don’t stretch at all but foam roller a bit (not enough mind) and occasionally get a massage (again not often enough.) In my opinion I’d err on the side of foam roller/ massage rather than stretching. I like the roller before a workout as it also serves as a pre warm up warm up and it’s good for preparing you for the session. If I had more time/ more patience I’d foam roll way more and it’s always the one thing I try to force myself to do more of as I feel the benefits quite readily after.
I used to stretch after every activity, then I read that it was a waste of time, so I stopped. After stopping stretching I picked up loads of injuries!
The injuries could have been caused by other things, who knows
I stretch now
The case for stretching–for flexibility, injury-prevention, or soreness-reduction–seems to be pretty weak. But as someone who was “born with the hamstrings of a shorter man,” and whose relatively tight, well, everything, feels like an impediment on the bike, but also running and swimming, I’ve been mulling this issue, and sporadically stretching, for some time.
Curious how others approach this issue.
So your “tight”?
Don’t look at stretching as the solution, first find out what the problem is, then find the solution.
For example, it could be anatomical. Hamstring tightness can come from an anteriorly tilted pelvis, I have seen people who have tight hamstrings just by standing still.
The solution of to swim more I don’t agree with. Not saying it won’t work, but it doesn’t search for the cause of the problem. Your tight hamstrings could be a training issue, anatomical problem, etc.
My bike fitter attributed my good aero position to good flexibility. I work on stretching when I go to the gym (2-3 times a week). I figure if I have been stretching, and not getting any injuries, ill just keep doing what I am doing.
Just to be clear, the article is addressing “routine stretching as part of your warm up.” That is different than “stretching as therapy to address specific issues.”
Back in my swimming days, we stretched for 15-20 minutes before every workout. I never thought it did much other than a) cut 15-20 minutes of the time we had to spend suffering in the pool and b) provide some entertainment opportunities for some people to show off how flexible they already were. I was pretty flexible in my shoulders at least back then but I don’t think daily stretching had much if anything to do with it.
On the other hand, stretching is very effective in dealing with specific issues. Over the years I have had some IT band issues and, my torture of late, periodic major tightness in my glutes and hips from cycling which makes my lower back hurt. In both cases, I have been saved by doing specific stretches to address these specific issues.
I warm up before workouts. 5-10’ easy. Also try to do trigger point massage (RumbleRoller) a few times a week for body alignment and to relax tight muscles/adhesions. My favorite time to roll is just before a run.
Before a race I’ll warm up (run/swim) and just before the swim start I’ll do a few quick, dynamic calf stretches because I’ve had muscle cramping issues in the past (bike) and it seems to help.
After a quality workout I stretch for 5’. It feels good, and at age 44, I’ve had very few sport-related injuries. I am able to hold a fairly low position on my tri bike in part due to flexibility. So put quite simply, I’m going to continue to do what works for me.
I’ve never been one to stretch, but my last two knee injuries have been caused by tight hamstrings, so I’m going to start just stretching the hamstrings before and after runs.
Certainly, running a lot is not making me more flexible–on the contrary, it feels like it has exactly the opposite effect over time.
That may be the case. Or it may not be the case. Or running may make some joints more flexible and others less flexible. You would have to precisely measure your range of motion at each affected joint when sedentary, and then after being solidly well into a running program. And then compare those two numbers. I would guess that the results of precise measurement might surprise you.
But, of course, your age and aging over time also play a part. But if running is indeed making you less flexible in some joints, likely that is what you need as a runner. Oddly enough, more flexibility in certain joints will make a you a slower runner and/or a more injury-prone runner.
An important aside: for certain joints, running may not be making you less flexible. But running and then sitting (as many of us have to do at our jobs) could be making you less flexible. That might be the issue. Things are complicated, and few things are totally black or white.
It is very clear to me (from personal experience) that stretching after running and cycling reduces soreness and helps with cramping and tightness.
Ice baths do the same thing.
On the other hand:
The reason that we train is not to be sore. It is to cause our bodies to change in response to the training stimulus.
If stretching and ice baths reduce soreness, then do they also limit the bodies response to the training stimulus?
Well maximum adaptation is only one of my training goals.
Feeling good is another.
If stretching reduces soreness but also reduce my bodies adaptation to training it is a fair trade off- if I feel better.
Just to be clear, the article is addressing “routine stretching as part of your warm up.” That is different than “stretching as therapy to address specific issues.”
Exactly. But it’s more expedient to debunk pre-workout “warmup” rituals than to study post-workout relaxation and therapy techniques. And it makes for more sensationalist journalism.
Five years after my spine fusion it would be silly of me to think everyone needs to stretch the same ways that I do. That doesn’t mean I’d be better off without it.
