Athletics: Runners' Preventative Medicine - Stretching

By BRAD WALKER, The StretchingHandbook.com

If you’re involved in the health & fitness industry as a participant, coach or trainer, you likely know how annoying and debilitating a sports injury can be.

In fact, when you have a sports injury you’re actually losing two ways. First, you’re losing simply because your body has been hurt and now needs time and care to repair itself. But you’re also losing the time you could have been putting into training and improving your ability.

A sports injury is a bit like losing money. Not only do you lose whatever you were going to buy with that money, but you also have to work hard to make up the money you've lost.

I recently read an article titled "Managing Sports Injuries." The author estimated that more than 27,000 American's sprain their ankle every day.

Additionally, Sports Medicine Australia estimates that 1 in every 17 participants of sport and exercise are injured playing their favorite sport.

Yet, more than 50 percent of the injuries could have been avoided. While there are a number of basic preventative measures that will assist in the prevention of sports injury, one technique has has slowly gained in popularity -- stretching.

Unfortunately, stretching is one area of athletic preparation often neglected. Stretching is a vital part of any exercise program and should be looked upon as being as important as any other part of your health and fitness.

Coaches and trainers are just starting to realize how important flexible muscles are to help prevent sports injury. One of the greatest benefits of stretching is that you’re able to increase the length your muscles and tendons. This leads to an increased range of movement. This means your limbs and joints can move further before an injury occurs.

How else can stretching help? While injuries can occur at any time, they are more likely to occur if the muscles are fatigued, tight and depleted of energy. Fatigued, tight muscles are also less capable of performing the skills required for your particular sport or activity. Stretching can help to prevent an injury by promoting recovery and decreasing soreness.

Stretching ensures that your muscles and tendons are in good working order. The more conditioned your muscles and tendons are, the better they can handle the rigors of sport and exercise, and the less likely that they'll become injured.

© Copyright 2003, James Raia

Posted with the permission of James Raia.

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