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what's the general opinion on warming up

natalie4162 Posts: 87 Joined: 2004/08/29	2004/09/25, 10:54 AM I read something very interesting this past week in fitnessRX mag. I would like to see what everyone thinks. I tried all week not warming up doesn't seem to bother me, except for my rotator cuff for some reason???? It read as follows. Pre-Exercise Stretching Decreases Strength Athletes ranging from gymnasts to sprinters usually stretch before exercise. The need to "stretch out" before practice or competition is drilled into athletes from the earliest exposure to sports. In spite of an almost universal belief hat stetching is essential, we have very little evidence that it does any good. In fact, many recent studies show the pre-exercise stretching decreases muscle strength and power, impairs jumping performance, causes muscle fatigue and increases the percetpion of effort during weight training. University of Nebrasksa scientists found that stetching decreased muscle strength at fast and slow speeds of motion (60 and 240 degrees per second). Stretch your muscles after training or competition when they are warm and performance is not critical. Warm up by doing gentle range-of-motion exercise that is specific to the movements used in your sport. (J Strengh Cond Res, 18:236-241, 2004)
princesslodgey Posts: 1,748 Joined: 2004/02/21	2004/09/25, 02:09 PM I looked into this a while ago, and I couldn't find much evidence in support of stretching before a workout, so I stopped doing it. That said, I'm very flexible, someone less flexible may want to stretch more than I do.
ando Posts: 5 Joined: 2004/02/05	2004/10/05, 03:46 PM I dont stretch before an exercise but i do between sets .. streching keeps from lactic acid building up. i find that if i dont stretch during my workouts i am extremely sore for the next few days.
hecdarec Posts: 2,457 Joined: 2003/12/16	2004/10/05, 03:48 PM I like to warm up by jumping rope followed by light stretching. It just feels good to me. -------------- You can cover up the flaws on your body, but there is no hiding a flawed personality.
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2004/10/05, 09:25 PM You will find both sides to this think they are right! LOL there is some studies that report greater chance for certain types of injuries if you DO stretch before lifting. The general way of thought is to do like Hec does light areobic (5-10 mins) activity befre lifting is better than doing the stretching routine we all learned in gym class!. -------------- LIFT HEAVY! BECOME STRONG, LIKE BULL! 7707mutt@freetrainers.com
princesslodgey Posts: 1,748 Joined: 2004/02/21	2004/10/06, 06:17 AM Yes, I should clarify that I always warm up with light aerobic work, I just don't stretch anymore.
rev8ball Posts: 3,081 Joined: 2001/12/27	2004/10/06, 10:00 AM Good point. Stretching and warming up are two different animals. Many recent Kins. studies have shown that pre-workout stretching can take away from strength (though post workout stretching can increase recupe time). Warming up, however, has been shown to help increase the strength curve; on the order of 3-4 very light weight and medium rep scenarios, strength has been shown to increase, rather than just lifting heavy from the start. ============ Quoting from princesslodgey: Yes, I should clarify that I always warm up with light aerobic work, I just don't stretch anymore. ============= -------------- Michael Trample the weak; hurdle the dead! Chaos, Panic, Disorder.... Yes, my work here is done! rev8ball@freetrainers.com