Poll: exercisers (past or present): do you stretch when you exercise?

Question

According to various primary literature articles (which are the research articles written by experimenters detailing the protocol & results of their research) (example: Johnson et al., 2010 (only an example, does not mean there is only ONE piece of literature on stretching)), stretching does not reduce injury, and can make a muscle less flexible for a period of time after the stretching has taken place, and even increase perceptions of muscle soreness.

Despite this (irregardless of whether or not the 'average exerciser' is aware of these findings), many people stretch before or after exercise. Do you stretch? Do you do it before or after exercise? Do you do it in replacement of a warm up & cool-down period before&after exercising? Or do you stretch in ADDITION to doing a warm-up & a cool-down?

Just curious what the 'exercisers' here on YA! do when they are exercising! =)

Answer 1

Yes, before and after my exercising without fail.

Answer 2

Yes. Stretch BEFORE and AFTER exercising. BEFORE to get ready for the exercise, and AFTER during cooldown.

Answer 3

yes.

on longer time it does make you more agil and does reduce the chanche of getting injuries.

strechtich makes the muscle 'longer'and more flexibel, but the flexibility depends a lot on if your are warmed up.

warming up and stratching should always be done together

Answer 4

I play on an outdoor slide before hand and that makes my limbs flaccid.

Answer 5

I don't normally, no. But if I have time I do. I don't think it is neccesary but a lot of people (including my past Zumba teachers) told me it is VERY important...

Answer 6

yea stretching is the most important part