Many runners stretch before their workouts, but scientific research tells us that there are five key reasons NOT to carry out static stretches before you head out for a run*
(1) A muscle which has been passively stretched is weaker, not stronger, than a muscle which has not been passively extended.
(2) Muscles which have been statically stretched are much more easily damaged, compared with muscles which have not been stretched.
(3) There is no solid evidence that passive stretching during a warm-up decreases the risk of injury or heightens performance during an ensuing workout or competition.
(4) Static stretching may indeed increase passive range of motion at key joints, but there is some evidence to suggest that augmentation of such range of motion may actually spike the risk of getting hurt.
(5) A study carried out at the University of Hawaii-Manoa linked pre-workout stretching with a 33-percent higher risk of injury in male marathon runners.
* Courtesy of Owen Anderson
A better alternative to static stretching before a run is to perform an active dynamic flexibility warm-up, which provides a rehearsal of the activity and will increase your body temperature. Sample dynamic warm-up exercises include marching, jogging with high knees, jogging with butt kicks and skipping.
