Not that I endorse this or anything but came upon an interesting tidbit in this months Running Times magazine. This was in an article on the physiology of running econony.
"Flexibility: Interestingly, runners who are more economical tend to be relatively inflexible. Reduced flexibility many increase the ability of the muscles to store and return energy, or increse leg stability (so stabilizing muscles are used less). Before you quit stretching, however, keep in mind that the relationship between flexibility and running economy has only been shown beween runners, and does not prove that a given individual will improve her running economy by becoming less flexible"
Not that I endorse this or anything but came upon an interesting tidbit in this months Running Times magazine. This was in an article on the physiology of running econony.
A similar article was in RRN or PP about a year or so ago, iirc. I wonder if they were citing the same research since it sounds *very* similar.
Dot
-- "Success is different things to different people" -Bernd Heinrich in Racing the Antelope
"Flexibility: Interestingly, runners who are more economical tend to be relatively inflexible. Reduced flexibility many increase the ability of the muscles to store and return energy, or increse leg stability (so stabilizing muscles are used less). Before you quit stretching, however, keep in mind that the relationship between flexibility and running economy has only been shown beween runners, and does not prove that a given individual will improve her running economy by becoming less flexible"
So that's why I've never seen a boneless chicken running across the road (or crossing the road at all)! Probably explains why octopi aren't good runners, either, despite having eight legs.
"Terry Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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Not that I endorse this or anything but came upon an interesting tidbit in this months Running Times magazine. This was in an article on the physiology of running econony.
"Flexibility: Interestingly, runners who are more economical tend to be relatively inflexible. Reduced flexibility many increase the ability of the muscles to store and return energy, or increse leg stability (so stabilizing muscles are used less). Before you quit stretching, however, keep in mind that the relationship between flexibility and running economy has only been shown beween runners, and does not prove that a given individual will improve her running economy by becoming less flexible"
Oh, boy. I must awfully efficient then, since I can't touch my toes unless I am really, really warmed up, and then, only barely.
[email hidden] (Terry Smith) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Not that I endorse this or anything but came upon an interesting tidbit in this months Running Times magazine. This was in an article on the physiology of running econony.
"Flexibility: Interestingly, runners who are more economical tend to be relatively inflexible. Reduced flexibility many increase the ability of the muscles to store and return energy, or increse leg stability (so stabilizing muscles are used less). Before you quit stretching, however, keep in mind that the relationship between flexibility and running economy has only been shown beween runners, and does not prove that a given individual will improve her running economy by becoming less flexible"
I tend to agree. I am a very efficent runner, and am quite inflexible, and stretching injures me.
"Flexibility: Interestingly, runners who are more economical tend to be relatively inflexible. Reduced flexibility many increase the ability of the muscles to store and return energy, or increse leg stability (so stabilizing muscles are used less). Before you quit stretching, however, keep in mind that the relationship between flexibility and running economy has only been shown beween runners, and does not prove that a given individual will improve her running economy by becoming less flexible"
In fact, there was a study done with runners doing stretching to improve sit-and-reach performance. Their flexibility measured by that one test improved but their running economy didn't change.
It appears that the relative inflexibility of the faster distance runners is genetic and it may be specifically distance running (read: not sprinting or jumping). Presumably we won't see any yoga gurus running 30 minute 10Ks any time soon.
Lyndon
"Speed Kills...It kills those that don't have it!" --US Olympic Track Coach Brooks Johnson
[email hidden] (Terry Smith) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Not that I endorse this or anything but came upon an interesting tidbit in this months Running Times magazine. This was in an article on the physiology of running econony.
"Flexibility: Interestingly, runners who are more economical tend to be relatively inflexible. Reduced flexibility many increase the ability of the muscles to store and return energy, or increse leg stability (so stabilizing muscles are used less). Before you quit stretching, however, keep in mind that the relationship between flexibility and running economy has only been shown beween runners, and does not prove that a given individual will improve her running economy by becoming less flexible"
True flexibility comes from fully unloading. For example, the halmstring stretch becomes much easier with unobstructed abdominal bending, which is only optimally possible when an efficacious unload has taken place.
"Flexibility: Interestingly, runners who are more economical tend to be relatively inflexible. Reduced flexibility many increase the ability of the muscles to store and return energy, or increse leg stability (so stabilizing muscles are used less).
This jives with what I heard from a Nike Athletics West coach 20 years ago:
"Most elite runners are tighter than a gnat's ass."
Unfortunately, I can touch my toes easily, not that keeps me from pulling hamstrings.
[email hidden] (Gleshna) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
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[email hidden] (famous runner)
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tretching injures me.
That's because you don't know what you are doing.
Sorry idiot, I've been running, and reading about running over 30 years now, and I've seen myths come and go, and stretching is the biggest lie ever perpetrated upon runners. Nothing is safer and more effective than a brisk walk to warm up. Several recent studys have said exactly that! They just took 20 years to catch up to me. Now go do some research, then instead of an apology you can give me head you stupid [censored].
Sorry idiot, I've been running, and reading about running over 30 years now, and I've seen myths come and go, and stretching is the biggest lie ever perpetrated upon runners.
As always you're half ass or half right, usually the former.
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Nothing is safer and more effective than a brisk walk to warm up. Several recent studys have said exactly that!
You are correct because those that stretch before exercise do not do it slowly and allow the muscles to warm up. It's not easy and takes a lot of patience and practice if not injury. Walking or very slow jogging to warm up is simple, safer and more effective and takes zero mentality.
