It has been said that stretching serves no purpose in a scientific context. I thought this was for injury prevention but wonder if this applies and if you should stretch before or after exercise.
with the highest regards
Answer
There is a lot of discussion in the literature about stretching. In general, warming up properly (eg walking) and cooling down are more important than stretching in itself. Stretching is not always necessary and, if you do it before exercising, can actually lead to injuries. The common belief that stretching is absolutely necessary is therefore erroneous and rather based on tradition.
If you have shortened muscles and need to stretch, it is best to do so after exercise. Good guidance for determining whether you need stretching yourself is desirable.
Professor Philip Staes
Department of Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Answered by
Catherine Vandevelde
Faculty of Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences
Old Market 13 3000 Leuven
https://www.kuleuven.be/
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