Pros and Cons of Stretching

Stretching can be a valuable part of a fitness routine, but has both pros and cons depending on how and when it’s done.

Pros:

  1. Improves flexibility- helps increase joint range of motion
  2. Enhances circulation- boosting blood flow to the muscles can aid recovery and reduce post-activity soreness
  3. Improves posture- helps correct muscle imbalance improving alignment
  4. Reduces muscle tension and stress- can have a calming effect, reducing physical and mental tension
  5. Improves mobility and balance- especially important as WE age and can reduce fall risk

Cons:

  1. Risk of injury if done incorrectly- overstretching or bouncing during stretches (ballistic stretching) can lead to strains or tears
  2. Not always helpful pre-workout- stretching cold muscles often leads to injury
  3. Time-consuming- effective stretching requires consistency and time causing people to omit this in the workout’s end
  4. Limited immediate impact- a long-term investment, stretching does not provide instant results

Best Practices:

  1. Warm up your body with light calisthenics and movement prep
  2. Use static stretching as part of the cool-down
  3. Avoid bouncing; hold stretches steadily for 8-10 seconds, release for 5, hold 8-10, release 5, hold 8-10, then done. Linger at muscles who you feel want a little more time

Remember the purpose of stretching: Muscles shorten during the contracting phase of the exercise–Use stretching to restore the muscles to their resting lengths.

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See you soon,

Dr. Anne Sorrentino