Author(s): Bewketu Chekol

Abstract:
Flexibility is an essential fitness component that decreases with age and physical inactivity. Traditionally, including stretching especially static stretching as a warm-up has long been recommended for individuals who engage in exercise for rehabilitation, injury prevention, health improvement and athletic performance enhancement (American College of Sports Medicine [ACSM] 2006, Kovacs 2006, Shrier 2004). The proposed goals of acute stretching prior to physical activity are to enhance performance include improved coordination and proprioception, increased range of motion (ROM), reduced injury potential, improved circulation and decreased muscle viscosity, which leads to smoother muscle contractions (Fredette 2001). However, in recent years there has been growing concern about whether or not stretching should be included in the warm-up phase. Mounting evidence suggests that pre-exercise stretching plays a limited role in injury prevention and performance enhancement. Static stretching impairs performance, Static Stretches Don’t Reduce muscle Soreness, Static Stretches Don’t Warm-up Your Muscles and Static Stretches Don’t Put You in the Right State.

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