AboutBrad Walker (The Stretch Coach) Expertise I'm more than happy to answer any questions relating to stretching and flexibility. Including how to use stretching to improve your athletic performance, prevent sports injury and aid in the recovery of sports injury.
Experience I'm an internationally recognized stretching and sports injury consultant with 20 years of practical experience in the health and fitness industry. And the founder of (The Stretching Institute).
Organizations Sports Medicine Australia
Publications I've written 5 books on stretching, flexibility and sports injury, including... The Stretching Handbook (ISBN: 978-0958109338), The Anatomy of Stretching (ISBN: 978-1556435966) and The Anatomy of Sports Injuries (ISBN: 978-1556436666). Plus, I've had numerous articles published at About.com, Athletes.com and BodyBuilding.com.
Education/Credentials I'm a health science graduate of the University of New England, with post graduate accreditations in athletics, swimming and triathlon coaching. I've worked with elite level and world champion athletes and I lecture for Sports Medicine Australia on injury prevention.
Past/Present Clients I've worked as assistant coach to Miles Stewart (World Champion Triathlete) and Mick Doohan (World 500cc Motorcycle Champion). Plus I've worked with countless other athletes from sports as diverse as roller-skating, squash, and cycling.
I'm hoping you can give your opinion on a confusing issue.
I have searched high and low on the net and can't seem to find a consensus on this...should I stretch before a run, or after a run?
I read several opinions that claimed no stretching is necessary pre run due to the fact that it is a steady motion (as opposed to say tennis which is quick starts and stops). But you MUST stretch post run.
Then I read that you should NEVER stretch post run....lol...as you can imagine, it's quite confusing.
What is your opinion on this?
My background:
I'm a large runner, 6'1", 230lbs (I was 270, that's why I started running!), have been running about 6 months.
I usually do about 3 miles at a slow pace during a workout, and one or two days a week I interval train where I run very hard for 1 minute, rest for 2, and repeat that cycle 8 times.
Currently I do a light stretch before I run of calves, quads, and hamstrings, and then I do a light stretch after of the same muscles.
Thanks for your help!
Answer Hi Mike
Thanks for your inquiry. It's a pleasure to help and I hope the following is beneficial.
To avoid injury it is imperative to Warm up and cool down properly. Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance and preventing sports injury.
Try to think of stretching as something that is incorporated into your running routine, and not just something that's tacked on as an after-thought.
Make sure you warm up properly first and then add a few stretches for the areas that are most tight (if any).
After your run you need to cool down, the cool down, performed properly, will assist your body in its repair process.
One area the cool down will help with, is "post exercise muscle soreness." This is the soreness that is usually experienced the day after a tough work out
I hope the above has been helpful. For more information on how to stretch properly and the best stretching exercises for you, visit www.TheStretchingInstitute.com
Brad Walker
Founder & CEO
The Stretching Institute
