Michael Czuba, PT, DPT, ATC, CSCS Physical Therapist/Athletic
Trainer PT Manager, Orthopaedic Associates of Riverside an
Accelerated Rehab Affiliate Most people are ingrained from youth
to stretch before exercise. The principle behind stretching
before activity is to loosen the muscles, warm the tissue and
hopefully prevent injury. Unfortunately, traditional static
stretching does little to achieve these pre-activity goals.
Static stretching is best post activity, if at all, to help
relax muscle and maintain flexibility. My recommendation is
dynamic stretching. It is quick, easy and efficiently prepares
your body for exercise. It works because muscles are being
activated to help stretch opposite muscles (quad is activated
when stretching the hamstring). That helps to relax the opposite
muscle and warm the area (static stretching cools). A quick
dynamic stretching routine pre-run will raise your heart-rate,
core temperature, loosen muscles and prepare you for your run.
If you would like to have more informatio