Elite Chiropractic & Sport located in Columbia; Howard County, happily serving all of Maryland
By Jay Patel, Speed and Explosion Coach
The most common question that I get when I am with a patient or client is, “When is the best time for me to stretch, before or after a workout or run?”
Well, stretching will not do any harm to you whether it’s before or after a run or a workout. But the type of stretching you do before an activity can differ from a stretch after an activity. Before getting to the nitty gritty details of the types of stretches first here are a couple of reasons to stretch.
- Stretching improves flexibility
- Stretching allows your joints to move through its full range of motion
In my opinion, the stretches you should do before an activity should be different from the stretches you do after an exercise.
- Dynamic Stretching should be done before an activity or sport. Dynamic Stretching are movements that bring on a stretch but the stretch is not held to the end position. This type of stretch should mimic the activity or sport Some examples of dynamic stretches include: arms swings, leg swings, butt kicks, etc.
- Static Stretching should be done after an activity or sport. This will aid in the process of a cool down and will lower your breathing rate and heart rate. Static stretching is holding a stretch to a point where you a comfortable but not too comfortable for about 30-45 seconds. Examples include: seated hamstring stretch, or standing quad stretch.
Below are some links and videos for stretching!
About the Author
Dr. Bross is the owner of Elite Chiropractic and Sport. He serves as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (CCSP) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. His unique approach to individualized patient care is based on the evaluation and treatment of the “whole” person.
Dr. Bross is a leader in the promotion of health and wellness. He has accumulated an extensive knowledge of the musculoskeletal and nutritional components of the human body. He is skilled in the Graston Technique, Active Release Technique, and Sports Medicine.
