Inflexible Runners Faster than Flexible Runners
A recent article in the New York Times outlines recent research which makes that case that flexibility should not be considered a cornerstone of health and fitness.
In fact, the latest science suggests that “extremely loose muscles and tendons are generally unnecessary (unless you aspire to join a gymnastics squad), may be undesirable and are, for the most part, unachievable, anyway.”
Do you agree or disagree? The full article can be read here.
As a 43 year old runner who runs 25kms a day, 6 days a week. I have long since given-up stretching. In order to get my weekly mileage up where it needs to be for ultra-running, I find that my muscles are still tight from the previous day’s run, and it takes a couple of kms to warm them up enough to be able to stretch properly.
I do compete in motocross racing as well, and I find stretching necessary for that because of the heavy workout that is placed on my core, and the need for proper blood-flow throughout.
I have always felt a little guilty for not really stretching as much as other people before running a marathon or an ultra, I glad I’m not totally out to lunch, on this one.