Debate Over Stretching

When should you stretch? Before or after exercising? What type of stretching is beneficial? Does stretching actually prevent injuries or cause them? These questions continue to be address by experts within the field. Their are some people who believe stretching is over-rated. Let's take the first question "When should you stretch?" In the past, stretching was considered beneficial prior to exercising. Today, experts explain stretching cold muscles could reduce injuries. Stretching cold muscles could cause tears within the muscles because the body temperature is cooler and flexibility is limited.

"What type of stretching is beneficial?" Dynamic Stretching consists of functional based exercises which use sport specific movements to prepare the body for movement. Dynamic stretching uses speed, movement, and reaching of the moving parts of the body. Dynamic stretching is different from ballistic stretching. Although dynamic stretching involves speed and movements, the motions are controlled and slowly progress to the limits of your range of motion. Ballistic stretches are the complete opposite where as forcing part of the body beyond its range of motion. The motions are "bouncy" or "jerky" movements. The most common stretching is Static Stretching. Static stretching consists of hold a pose for 15-30 seconds. Static stretching was considered the best type of stretching as a warm-up in the past. As previously stated, it is now considered ineffective or dangerous to warm-up with static stretching prior to warming up the muscles.

So, what type of stretching is good for me? It depends on who you are and what type of physical activities you are involved in. Dynamic stretching should be used as someone who is involved with sports and/or someone who performs fitness exercises on a daily basis. If you are involved with gymnastics or dancing, static stretching is very beneficial.

In conclusion, some type of stretching should be involved as a component of fitness to maintain balance and flexibility.