I tend to stretch after workouts before cooling down. If I've warmed up and still feel tension in specific muscle groups then I will take the time to stretch them. After a long run I feel a big difference if I don't stretch and a lack of stretching after working your muscles can lead to a higher chance of myofascial adhesions.
It is important to keep in mind that there are three areas to being athletic/fit: 1)cardiovascular 2)strength 3)flexibility, and I feel like flexibility is an often overlooked area. It is also something that many people do not perform properly either. Lisa mentioned as well about hypermobility. Many women (often those who danced or did gymnastics in early life) tend to have a greater than normal ROM. I still encourage stretching, but will give modifications as well and prescribe specific strengthening exercises for different joints. It's frustrating (using myself as an example) when you are hypermobile but still carry tension/tightness in a joint. Right now I'm dealing with some groin issues stemming from the iliopsoas and adductor longus, and I can stretch these muscles and others from the same groups then go into the splits etc yet still have that tension that cannot be touched in a sense.
Biggies: please do not stretch "cold". Warm up an area before stretching. FOR THOSE WHO DO "HOT" YOGA: please be aware of your normal ROMs and try not to go too much further even if it feels like you could very easily (I roll my eyes b/c I have treated far too many people who have managed to injure themselves in this trendy class). DO NOT PULSE/BOUNCE or force yourself down into your stretches (for the love of GOD!!). Do your stretches from the same perspective as lifting: put an emphasis on form and then add degrees of intensity. The stretch does not do you any good (and may do you more harm) if not performed properly.
From a medical background stretching is very beneficial and should be performed daily. Essentially, after a long day of working and running around doing groceries etc. we should all be stretching (I'm not even saying post workout) before calling it a day. Do many people do this? Do I always do this? No. lol (I wish I always did and do try to make a point to do it as often as possible) We should though. If you can find the time try to add some stretching in. It's good for the body and, given it's not done in a hurry or as a burden, can also be VERY relaxing for the mind.
If you're really interested in stretching look into some anatomy and the origins, insertions and functions of muscles (innervations and blood supply isn't necessary for this kind of thing). By understanding some basic kinesiology and anatomy stretching can be taken to a whole other level.
Tired and have an equine nutrition exam to continue studying for (human nutrition was waaaaaaay easier!)
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