THURSDAY, Oct. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Millions of gym buffs do
it regularly, but stretching before or after exercise will not
prevent muscle soreness, a new study contends.
Australian researchers reviewed findings from 10 studies, each
involving from 10 to 30 people.
Nine of the studies in this review were conducted in laboratory
settings, and the time spent stretching by participants varied from
40 seconds to 10 minutes. Based on a 100-point scale to assess
soreness, the review authors concluded that stretching before or
after exercise offered little benefit, reducing soreness by less
than one point on the 100-point scale.
"The data were remarkably consistent," lead researcher Robert
Herbert, of the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney
in Australia, said in a prepared statement. "The available evidence
suggests that stretching before or after exercise does not prevent
muscle soreness in young healthy adults."
However, he and his colleagues said more research is needed to
determine whether stretching benefits people with reduced
flexibility.
The study was published in The
Cochrane Library Newsletter
Hmmmmm.
http://health.msn.com/dietfitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100172129>1=10450