NYTimes: Stretching before a run doesn’t do jack!

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According to a study done by USA Track and Field, static stretching (holding stretches for a lengthy period) before a run did not prevent nor induce injury.

The study involved 1400 runners age 13 to 60+ who were separated into two groups: those who would do 20-second simple stretches and those who would not stretch at all. It took researchers two years just to find enough participants for meaningful results. Many runners were too attached to their stretching regimes when they were told they would not be able to stretch for three months. It was found that 30% runners who were used to stretching all the time ended up hurting themselves during the three-month period.

The study goes on to say that, “an ideal preworkout routine ‘consists of a very easy warm-up, followed by a gradual increase in intensity and then dynamic stretching.’” Researchers say that stretching through movement involves the brain more, “teaching proprioception and control, as well as improving flexibility.”

Full story: NYTimes.com