Study Finds No Benefit In Stretching Before Running

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There is some controversy over an age-old exercise adage.

According to a new report being presented at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, all that stretching you do before and after you exercise might not be that necessary.

Researchers assigned about 2,700 runners who run at least ten miles or more each week into two groups. One group stretched three to five minutes and the rest were told not to stretch before working out.  After three months, the researchers found there was no difference in injury rates among runners who stretch before a run compared to those who didn't stretch.

However, in those individuals who were used to stretching and were told to stop, 40-percent developed injuries.

Critics of the study say they need more information about how much athletes ran, the condition they were in. Experts on the subject say stretching is beneficial particularly for people who do not have an opportunity to exercise often.

Reported by Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio