Stretching before Exercise May Be a Waste of Time

If you're trying to prevent muscle aches and stiffness, stretching before exercise may be a waste of time (and so is stretching afterwards), according to to a new study.

The elaborate limbering up routines favored by many athletes and gym-goers do little to prevent muscle aches and stiffness, researchers found.

Stretching muscles after exercise may be equally pointless, they say.

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Dr Polly McGuigan, an expert in exercise and sport at Bath University, agreed there was no evidence that stretching muscles did any good before exercising 'In fact there is some evidence 'It could even do harm'

'There is no really good explanation out there for why stretching could reduce post-exercise aches and injuries, or improve performance. Read more

I couldn't agree more, especially on stretching before exercise, which reduces muscle power.