CLINIC
To stretch or not to stretch? It’s a divisive issue, so we thought we’d take advice from an expert. Read on to find out if, why and how to stretch…
YOUR EXPERT
Sports Injury Fix member Rachael Harris is a sports therapist working at SB Sports Massage and Rehabilitation in Leeds (sb-massage.co.uk) and has provided post-event treatments at the Great North Run and the London Half Marathon (sportsinjuryfix.com)
The quadricep is a muscle well used by runners
The concept of stretching before and after running has been heavily debated in scientific research. Many people swear that stretching is key for their performance and injury prevention, and others simply never stretch. When it comes to the scientific evidence, you’d be forgiven for feeling confused; there is much mixed advice for and against stretching.
It’s good to explore both the pros and the cons of stretching; you may find it will help you decide whether doing regular stretching is right for you, and you may decide that it will help a niggle you’re suffering from.