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Research? What research?
Martin Jones BA(hons), BSc(hons), MCSP, SRP
Senior 1 Physiotherapist
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Wright" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 2:32 PM
Subject: Re: Research support for stretching in rehabilitation
> Actually the Pope study is the least interesting to me. There are several
> papers demonstrating a reduction in strength or power realted to
stretching
> versus non-stretching groups. Reductions in strength will undoubtably
lead
> to more injuries in certain situations. Some papers have linked
stretching
> to increased injury risk, most are neutral (like the Pope study). I think
> it probably depends on the activity. Also, there has been research
linking
> people with the greatest ROMs with the most injuries.
>
> I come at it from this perspective: someone came up with the theory that
> stretching would be beneficial in terms of performance and injury
> prevention. Its a strange theory for the situation of stretching just
> before exercise (I can't think of any substance that when you stretch it,
it
> becomes less likely to break). However, if there was good research behind
> it then fair enough. Except I haven't found any and I've read quite a few
> papers on the subject and seen summaries of many others.
>
> In the long term the thoery would be that the muscle adapts to the
streching
> and infers protection. Again, haven't seen any evidence for this and the
> paper associating higher ROMs with more injuries would suggest the
opposite.
> Even if greater ROMs could be achieved is this neccessarily beneficial?
> Muscles in extreme positions exert much less force than maximal.
Therefore,
> if muscles are easier to get into these positions then maybe the muscle
> couldn't prevent the position going even further and injury occuring.
Just
> my thoughts.
>
> Also, there appears to be a general oppinion that greater stretch lengths
> are actually due to increased stretch tolerance rather than a physical
> process.
>
> A lot of people seem to be of the opinion that there should be good
research
> that stretching is bad before they stop doing it. I look at it this way:
> there should be good evidence that stretching is safe and beneficial
before
> it is used. Additionally, there is quite a bit of good evidence that
> stretching, at least before exercise, is bad for you.
>
> I know stretching is used by physiotherapists. Does anyone know of any
> research that supports its use?
>
> Thanks
>
> Joe
>
> > Hello
> >
> > I have long been dubious about the so called research on stretching for
a
> > variety of reasons and not just because I practice stretching!
Stretching
> by
> > physiotherapists can be for therapeutic reasons eg neural stretching, or
> > preventative. and the type, amount and style will depend on the
assessment
> > made at the first and subsequent visits so stretching per se is a
> supervised
> > and prescribed affair and not a haphazard free for all.
> >
> > we are all (generally) aware of overstretching which can
damage/stimulate
> > nerves , causing damage or at least pain.
> >
> > if your research is referring to the "famous" Pope study the attachment
> may
> > be of interest to you
>
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Anna.
>
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