I was going to title this "Some More On Stretching," but I couldn't resist the easy play on words. The picture definitely helped to sell me on it as well. What I'm writing is a response to a comment asking what I would say to someone who doesn't believe in the value of stretching. I'd definitely make my first point that in many cases, stretching can prevent or remedy injury. In running I often suffer from overuse injuries that are quickly cured with some heat, ice, and gentle stretching. Second, longer (stretched) muscles allow your body to move easier over time. When my quadriceps are inflexible, my hamstrings have to work against the quads, just to contract through a normal range of motion. If my quads are flexible, the hamstrings can cover the same range of motion with less work. This has tremendous implications for people who want to enhance their endurance because they can do something with less work, meaning they save more energy for later. Finally, posture is enhanced by flexibility. I had a discussion with the chiropractor I'm interning for about this concept today. Tight hip flexors (caused by sitting all day) pull your whole body out of alignment, causing something called lordosis. Lordosis makes your back arch and your butt stick out. This is not a flattering look, and can cause a lot of pain. Inflexible pectorals (caused by typing, writing, and driving all day) cause hunched over shoulders and a forward head tilt. This is also not a flattering look and often the cause of migraine headaches. So...
WHY SHOULD YOU STRETCH?
1. prevent and treat injury
2. move easier
3. improve posture
GO TEAM!
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