Study: Stretching Before Exercising Does Not Prevent Sore Muscles

According to the Department of Health and Human Services news release, Australian researchers have found that stretching before exercising or even after exercising will not prevent muscle soreness.

10 separate studies involving 10 to 30 people concluded that stretching before and after exercising offered very little benefit, and only reduced soreness by less than one point on a 100 point scale. Nine of the 10 studies were performed in laboratory settings and each participants stretched between 40 seconds up to 10 minutes.

Lead researcher, Robert Herbert from the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney in Australia states that "The available evidence suggests that stretching before or after exercise does not prevent muscle soreness in young healthy adults."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the importance of physical activity in everyone is a necessary part of life and should be taken serious. It is a proven fact that those people of all ages who become more active do improve their health and well being. Regular activity reduced the risk of dying from coronary heart disease, which today is the leading cause of death. Regular activity also minimizes your risk for stroke, colon cancer, diabetes, as well as high blood pressure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommend regular exercising to help control weight, ensure healthy bones, muscles, and joints. Regular exercising per day also reduces falls in the elderly, helps to relieve the pain of arthritis, reduces anxiety and depression and helps with less hospitalizations. It is recommended that every person walk at least five times or more a week.