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2021Mach6

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I might be the least flexible person on Earth. Aside from elementary school gym class, and my 1 minute routine before hockey practice, I never stretch. Ever. Could barely grab my ankles and even that's painful, despite being pretty fit.

That all changed a month ago ... I made it a point to stretch for at least 15 minutes a day, and TBH I'm shocked at how much better I feel. Didn't expect the transformation to happen so quickly. After only a few days, I was able to grab my toes, and after a week I could get my chin close to my knees.

I feel so much lighter, and everything from walking up the stairs to riding my bike, just feels so much easier. Some other benefits I didn't anticipate, and perhaps it's just a coincidence, but I feel more relaxed throughout the day and my stress and anxiety have lowered a bit. Wish it didn't take me 40 years to realize stretching is a good thing, but here I am.

Has anyone experienced something similar or have any routines or exercises you've adopted that improve both your riding and overall lifestyle?
 
#11 ·
Super inflexible as well. The benefits of stretching regarding injury prevention are questionable. Still, I started daily stretching after an injury a few months ago and it sure is nice to be able to touch my toes, put my socks on easily, that sort of thing.
 
#14 ·
2021Mach6 said:
I might be the least flexible person on Earth. Aside from elementary school gym class, and my 1 minute routine before hockey practice, I never stretch. Ever. Could barely grab my ankles and even that's painful, despite being pretty fit.

That all changed a month ago ... I made it a point to stretch for at least 15 minutes a day, and TBH I'm shocked at how much better I feel. Didn't expect the transformation to happen so quickly. After only a few days, I was able to grab my toes, and after a week I could get my chin close to my knees.

I feel so much lighter, and everything from walking up the stairs to riding my bike, just feels so much easier. Some other benefits I didn't anticipate, and perhaps it's just a coincidence, but I feel more relaxed throughout the day and my stress and anxiety have lowered a bit. Wish it didn't take me 40 years to realize stretching is a good thing, but here I am.

Has anyone experienced something similar or have any routines or exercises you've adopted that improve both your riding and overall lifestyle?
Click to expand...
I imagine the question about stretching is very individual but I would say without question that range of motion and balance are absolutely essential to any serious mountain biking.

I had to go through some serious physical therapy and deep tissue massage to be able hinge functionally and maintain a good head up position while in attack mode after years of sports injuries and some abnormal professional endeavor. Couldn’t even begin to corner effectively until I could make some basic movements. Huge difference.

Now rolling, stretching and balance exercises are a part of daily routines and if I’m not warned up my rides just suck.
 
#15 ·
maynard4130 said:
“A growing body of research evidence indicates that pre-event static stretching of the prime movers may actually have a negative effect on force production, power performance, strength endurance, reaction time and running speed.”
Click to expand...

I've read this too but all the force production and strength in the world doesn't do sh!t if you're injured
 
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#18 ·
maynard4130 said:
So stretching prevents injury?
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No. Riding commensurate with skill and warming up commensurate with body needs prevents doing things you’re not ready for - that prevents injury.

Stretching should fit into a good warm up routine based on how old and shitty your body is. Or just pedal down some lame stuff that doesn’t require skill or flexibility.
 
#19 ·
UC Davis, Sports Medicine:
Benefits of a regular stretching routine:
  1. Enhanced performance
  2. Decreased risk of injury
  3. Increased blood supply and nutrients to joint structures
  4. Increased quantity of synovial joint fluid (oil in the crank case)
  5. Increased neuromuscular coordination
  6. Reduced muscular tightness and increased joint mobility
  7. Return of muscle to natural resting state
  8. Modifying blood pooling, re-circulation

    Flexibility | Sports Medicine | UC Davis Health

    I don't specifically stretch immediately preceding exercise. I stretch at the beginning of the day and the increase in the ROM that I get tends to last. I've found benefits to increasing my ROM, but I'm also older, and as you get older your ROM decreases. IME, stretching, as a part of fitness training has had noticeable benefits. If you don't think it will help, or you don't want to do it, don't.
 
#20 ·
"Stretching" doesn't do the process justice. Operating your limbs through their full Range Of Motion on a regular basis with targeted exercises and movements is well known as a way to preserve joint function. The process can help regain pain-free ROM after an injury but incorporating these principles in everyday movements and sessions has clear preventative benefits.
 
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Swolie74
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