Fitness Experts Dispel Common Exercise Myths Latest Exercise &
Fitness News For example, stretching before exercise doesn't
actually reduce the risk of injury, the American Council on
Exercise (ACE) said in a Feb. 14 news release, after examining
research conducted over the past decade. However, stretching can
help prevent injuries at other times, such as after a workout.
"Static stretching," where you extend a muscle group to its
maximum and hold it for up to 30 seconds -- for example, a
static leg stretch -- doesn't boost exercise performance, ACE
cautioned. On the contrary, static stretching before a workout
can have a negative effect on explosive activities, such as
sprinting and jumping, and on maximal strength production.
Instead, ACE recommended including some "dynamic" stretches in a
warm-up routine. One example of dynamic stretching would be a
sprinter doing long, exaggerated strides to prepare for a race,
according to the ACE website. Finally, lactic acid doesn't
really cause acidosis and muscle fat