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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