Jul 22, 2024
Training Tips by Runzy Director of Coaching Joe McConkey
Putting Flexibility in Its Place
'I need to stretch more.'
'I think hot yoga will help my running because I can stretch out more.'
'I want to get faster, but I feel my stride is short and weak so I'm stretching more.'
All common thoughts runners have, but is there too much emphasis on stretching in the minds of runners?
Like most things in exercise science (as well as life!), too much of one thing can have a negative impact on performance. For those who place stretching above all else, the balance of the length-tension relationship of a muscle can be thrown off. In other words, by gaining range of motion they have lost power. This is not a concern for the average reader, as many do indeed have flexibility issues that should be addressed. For the outliers, who are flexible and are trying to get more and more out of increasing their flexibility, be careful that you are also improving your strength and power (meaning you can jump explosively, sprint up and downhills, and hold a strong pace for a long tempo run).
Flexibility is important but note many elite runners cannot even get close to touching their toes. The fact is there needs to be an appropriate amount of 'functional flexibility' so that you can move through the range of motion you need, but also have a powerful elastic recoil. With running, this means you can lift your knee up and then have a strong 'down and back' impulse into the ground. This impulse should be initiated without conscious effort and instead should be coming from the natural healthy tension of a flexible AND strong soft-tissue system.
