title: Impact of stretching on the performance and injury risk of long-distance runners.
abstract: Stretching, either prior to exercise or at the end, or both, is typically carried out by all individuals undertaking sporting activity whether they be elite or recreational athletes. The many forms of stretching available to the athlete, either passive or active, have long been thought to improve performance, decrease injury and generally be advantageous to the athlete. This review examines the current state of the literature and evaluates what athletes can and should do with respect to this controversial topic.
authors.affiliation: a School of Health Science , Flinders University , Adelaide , South Australia , Australia.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.affiliation: b Sport and Physical Activity , Edge Hill University , Ormskirk , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lars R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Mc Naughton
authors.affiliation: b Sport and Physical Activity , Edge Hill University , Ormskirk , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sparks
authors.affiliation: a School of Health Science , Flinders University , Adelaide , South Australia , Australia.
authors.forename: Lynda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.affiliation: a School of Health Science , Flinders University , Adelaide , South Australia , Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bentley
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D012420:Running / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Performance; flexibility; injury