|
The
NEPA Weight Loss Challenge
 |
Voted
Best Fitness Trainer in Electric City's 2003 Reader's Poll.
|
Winter Blues got you down?
Drop those extra pounds
now!
Get In Shape
Fast With my Personalized Fitness And Weight Loss Programs!
Fitness Tip
of the Month
Contrary to conventional wisdom, stretching prior to exercise may not be
such a good idea after all.
After
an extensive review of the research on stretching, Dr. Ian Shrier of the
Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies at SMBD-Jewish
General Hospital in Montreal concluded that there is no clear evidence
that stretching prior to exercise prevents injury. In fact, in some
instances, stretching immediately before activity may have a detrimental
effect on performance because, Shrier explains, stretching causes a small,
temporary reduction in a muscle's force and power.
Flexibility training performed regularly over time, however, may be more
beneficial for improving performance. Like weight training,
stretching increases both force and power when done regularly for several
weeks. One study found that a consistent stretching regimen improved
athletes' 50-yard dash speed by several hundredths of a second.
Despite
the limited documented benefits, most experts, Shrier included, still
recommend daily stretching, particularly to improve range of motion.
The key is to tailor the timing and duration of the stretching to the
individual's needs and performance goals.
Source:
The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 2005; 33, 3, 22-26
As always
consult your physician before beginning this or any other
exercise
and nutrition program.
|
