Is it really important to do stretching before running?
By betterdays
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
Philippines
August 24, 2012 1:24pm CST
I read somewhere one writer saying that stretching is not really important or helpful before running or jogging, how true is this? We have often read fitness experts always recommending stretching to runners and athletes as well, so what is the truth? The writer who said that I remember said that stretching is over-rated and does not necessarily prevent runners or athletes from being injured. What is your opinion about this and do you think stretching helps or not?
6 responses
@thewonderboy (7501)
• India
25 Aug 12
Yes may be. I have a friend who was a district champion on his youth. I had asked the same thing to him. He answered me that it is just like an aiming in an archery. We have to aim the target and run. Then we will be more success in our running. Moreover it help us to have a good speed at the beginning itself.
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
25 Aug 12
So far all of you have said that stretching is such an important part in preparation to playing sports or I guess in any activity which will require you to use some of your limbs.
@manda9102 (39)
• United States
30 Aug 12
Well I certainly learned something new today. I didn't really think it was that important. When my friend and I go to the park she always stretches before starting, but I never do. I guess it couldn't hurt to give it a shot. It's not like you have to do it for a long period of time. I always thought that since I wasn't exhausted after the jogs and runs that it meant I didn't need to stretch.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
25 Aug 12
I am not an expert to this one but I think it is needed to warm up your system as preparation for further works that you will encounter.
@thewonderboy (7501)
• India
25 Aug 12
Yes it is yet another view. There may be some scientific facts behind every action. So bending may have warmed the athletes and provides extra energy for their performance 
.
.@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
25 Aug 12
That is how I understand it too. I also think that stretching could help your body adjust better with certain actions that requires you to stretch. Like when you play tennis, arms stretching before playing would help you while in actual tennis match when you needed to use your arms to hit the ball especially when you needed to stretch your arm in hitting a ball farther away from you.
@cagampan1991 (364)
• Philippines
25 Aug 12
Stretching is really important especially if you've been not doing that activity for so long. Because stretching conditions your body and prepares your body so that it will be shocked for overdoing an activity. Its like warming up your body, it also adds up to your performance. So its nice to do stretching and warm up before doing activities.
@BetterDays4Me (3777)
• Philippines
25 Aug 12
That's what I figured too. I guess the writer who wrote that fitness tip is a lazy athlete or someone who is simply a casual athlete who doesn't care for optimum performance.
@ivaylo2009 (973)
• Bulgaria
24 Nov 12
Hello It it realy important to do stretch to inform your mucle that you should work on them.The most things in live are in the same time - I mean to start something you should prepare for this.Take a look at this article and you'll understand with more words about it:
http://expertscolumn.com/content/important-meaning-stretching
@prospectboy (754)
• United States
11 Jan 13
I'm not an expert myself, but I've always heard that stretching is wise before running. Sometimes I stretch before my runs, but I don't do it more often than not. I'm going to start to trying stretching more often now though. My runs tend to feel better when I do stretch.
@fatlex06 (895)
• Philippines
31 Aug 12
I see. For me, stretching is really a must before every exercise even if it's just jogging. I learned it from my gym coach when I went there few years ago. He always required me to do so for my muscles to be ready for the upcoming exercise that I'll do. But I think, it is also ok if ever you'll not stretch your body before jogging. :)Normally,nowadays, if I jog, I don't do stretching. :)
