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Stretch it out

22/02/2012

Here physiotherapist Matt Taylor of Henry Stones Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, shares his top stretching tips:

A pretty contentious issue indeed. Opinions vary greatly on how long to stretch for? Is it best to stretch before exercise or after exercise and whether we should or shouldn't stretch at all!

My opinion is that if you use specific muscles for prolonged periods it would be beneficial to undertake a stretch regime, because after repeated use, muscles will tighten over time and it benefits your recovery.

The Key points
-Stretching should be undertaken after a gentle warm up pre-activity and the optimum time to stretch is after you have completed your activity when your muscle tissue is most pliable.
-Each stretches should be held ideally up to 30 seconds - generally people tend to not hold for long enough
-Repeat the stretch 4-5 times in one sitting - stretching needs to be repeated to be effective
-Stretching cold muscles is ineffective.

For more information visit www.hsphysio.co.uk/