Stretching While Sore

[Looneyas]

As i have just returned to training after 15 years layoff from Training,

 

I have started my stretching program

 

Dymanic stretches in the Morning everyday

 

Isometric stretches at night at least 4 times a week

 

I have been sore every day since i started training my splits, I use to be able to do the side splits but that was 15 years ago

 

but from 3 weeks stretching i am just 6 inches from splits,

 

I stretch while sore so far no worries, but do u feel there would be a issue stretching while still sore, as my Gains are amazing, As this time around I am concentrating on stretching correctly as thats what i missed on when i trained all those years ago.

Edited February 14, 2003 by Looneyas

[Stold]

Stretching while sore is a MUST. When your tear your fibres they actuallly grow back shorter. If you don't stretch you will lose felxibility.

[BonnyBoy]

Hmm, I thought resting while sore would let the muscles to regrow bigger & stronger.. I'm sure KickChick will have an answer.

[KickChick]

I heard you!!!

 

I didn't hear "stretching after I warm up though!!! .....

 

Begin with a simple exercise that will gradually get the heart pumping and increase blood flow to your muscles. You need to raise the body's temperature by about 2º F, loosening and warming muscles and joints. You can tell when you are sufficiently warmed up when you begin to break a slight sweat.

 

 Muscles are able to stretch more easily and to contract more rapidly when warm. The faster muscle contracts, the stronger it becomes.

 

 The higher the temperature of muscle cells, the faster they are able to metabolize the oxygen and fuel they need.

 

 As muscles warm, the response to nerve impulses quickens, causing a faster contraction, which leads to quicker reflexes.

 

 Warming joints lubricates them, allowing them to move more freely with less energy expended. This protects the joints from excessive wear and tear.

 

Whenever a muscle is stretched, the stretch reflex action automatically contracts the stretch muscle, in order to protect it from being over stretched. If you have overstretched and "pulled" some muscles while stretching then if these fibers are not gradually re-lengthened, the muscle will pull again upon use because it will have healed in a shortened state. If you stretch the healing muscle gently and gradually, you'll decrease your chances of re-injury.

 

Stretching facilitates recovery by regulating muscle tension, relieving muscle spasms and improving blood flow into your muscles.

 

Stretching beyond your limits can lead to injury and loss of any gains you will have made. You should always alternate your stretches from one muscle group to another, ensuring that they are progressive.

 

(now that's a post! ... also a small excerpt of an article I had written

[Mayur]

Umm.....kickchick........no offense, but I am no physicist......what's the conclusion?

 

To stretch while sore or not to?

 

|Mayur|

[KickChick]

.... you needn't be!

 

Simply put .... YES , but ok so I forgot to add.... GRADUALLY (warm up is very important especially if sore prior to doing dynamic stretching)

 

IMO ... I too am not a "physicist"

 

I am assuming that Looneyas is experiencing "muscle soreness" and NOT a muscle "pull" or "spasm" in which case circumstances would be diff.

[Mayur]

Ok thanx, and yep I am familiar with muscle soreness, usually happens the day after I stretch heavily

 

|Mayur|

[KickChick]

I'm sure that we all have .... (but some more than others).

 

We all forget the proper ways to stretch and then we all suffer the consequences.... some more painful than others

[Looneyas]

Yes my Soreness is from my stretching, Its due from my isometric stretches, dymanic stretches are great in the mornings.

 

Thats cool so i can keep up my Stretching program i have set myself.

 

Thanks a lot great info

 

I will always warm my self up before i stretch, My goal is flat splits in 2 months.

 

Would my great gain be cause i could do the Splits years ago, but back then my form was bad.

[CampIatt]

I sure can relate...

 

I also just started back training after taking a 14 year break due to a traveling job change. I can deal with the day after pains of growth and re-building... however...

 

How do you deal with the more severe pain when muscles are sore one or two days after a workout. The culprit - DOMS, Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness. I have done a bit of reading on it but everything seems to me theories or un-confirmed tests. They say it is either microscopic tearing of the muscle fibers or un-evacuated acid from the tissues after the workout. The pain receptors are extra sensitive because the immune cells produce something called bradykinins and prostaglandins after about 1 or 2 days after the workout. They say that things such as tylenol do not help and in some cases inhibit the re-growth proccess.

 

This seems to go away after about 2 or 3 days but I do not want to take that many days off between classes!

 

-W