23-02-2006, 05:46 PM
As both an ex-runner and a fairly frequent squash player, I have always been taught the value of stretching before participating. Now having got into martial arts again, I am beginning to ponder the place of stretches in exercise.
Believe me we stretch, but it is during or after a session, preference been given to warming up with light jogging and flexing rather that stretching.
So I have been doing some reading and have come across static and dynamic stretching. Static being the typical type of stretching that gets advocated prior to exercise vs dynamic which is putting the muscles through the expected range of movements that they will be expected to do.
I have found that by spending more time on warm up prior to running....starting with a slow walk, progressing into a brisk walk and then into the run, then using static stretches as part of my cool down routine, I am managing a better quality of run, with a faster recovery rate. Proper breathing into the stretches also helps control breathing.
For the martial arts dynamic stretching from cold is a plus, you do not have time to warm up when having to deal with a sudden attack, so full muscle range is required instantaneously......
Interesting topic and other opinions would be appreciated.....
Believe me we stretch, but it is during or after a session, preference been given to warming up with light jogging and flexing rather that stretching.
So I have been doing some reading and have come across static and dynamic stretching. Static being the typical type of stretching that gets advocated prior to exercise vs dynamic which is putting the muscles through the expected range of movements that they will be expected to do.
I have found that by spending more time on warm up prior to running....starting with a slow walk, progressing into a brisk walk and then into the run, then using static stretches as part of my cool down routine, I am managing a better quality of run, with a faster recovery rate. Proper breathing into the stretches also helps control breathing.
For the martial arts dynamic stretching from cold is a plus, you do not have time to warm up when having to deal with a sudden attack, so full muscle range is required instantaneously......
Interesting topic and other opinions would be appreciated.....
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