28 Jul 08

What difference does stretching before or after exercising really make?

Oxford researchers are calling on sporty members of the public to take part in an international study on stretching before or after exercise.

Amateur sportspeople have very different practices about stretching with some warming up before exercise, some after and some both. This control trial, run by the University of Oxford’s Department of Primary Care, the University of Sydney, the Norwegian Knowledge Centre for Health Services and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme in Spain, hopes to discover if stretching is beneficial or not.

The researchers are looking for adults in the UK who do any sport or vigorous exercise at least once a week. Active people who want to help answer this question will be assigned by chance to either stretch or not stretch, before and after whatever exercise they are doing and will report back over the internet once a week, for 12 weeks, noting whether they have injuries, soreness or feel 'loose'. The two groups will then be compared. Anyone who does not have a current sports injury and has access to the internet can join in.

Dr Amanda Burls, Director of ThinkWell and a member of Oxford University’s Department of Primary Care, said: 'It will be a chance for members of the public to contribute to knowledge. Everyone wants to know what is the best practice regarding stretching so this is an opportunity to be part of that.

'Oxford’s involvement is led through ThinkWell, a project which was set up to help people take control of knowledge and research through helping people find health information and where that is not available, help them design and participate in research studies that will answer their questions.'

Anyone who is interested in taking part should visit the ThinkWell website (see link on right) or email Amanda Burls. Participants will not be required to visit a doctor or undergo any tests.