Comments on: A Flexible Athlete is a Better Athlete: Different Techniques for Stretching http://blog.athlo.com/2008/08/10/a-flexible-athlete-is-a-better-athlete-different-techniques-for-stretching/ Health and Fitness, Training Advice, Athlo Site Development Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:56:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: liz http://blog.athlo.com/2008/08/10/a-flexible-athlete-is-a-better-athlete-different-techniques-for-stretching/#comment-132 liz Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:03:36 +0000 http://blog.athlo.com/?p=46#comment-132 Did you ever do any research on the brace? Something like that would be really helpful in the hospital/rehab setting. I too did my grad research project on chronic stroke survivors. I think it's one of the best examples of how the body/brain learns movement patterns and how muscle groups work together -fascinating stuff. Patrick thanks for all the advice - I did not think about strengthening the anterior tib-I've been massaging it, but not strengthening! He tried shoes with inserts made for his flat foot/overpronation (which he is) and that definitely helped some. And you're right his calves/hams are tight! We'll have to add a little PNF gastroc/ham stretch in before and after running. Thanks! Did you ever do any research on the brace? Something like that would be really helpful in the hospital/rehab setting. I too did my grad research project on chronic stroke survivors. I think it’s one of the best examples of how the body/brain learns movement patterns and how muscle groups work together -fascinating stuff.

Patrick thanks for all the advice - I did not think about strengthening the anterior tib-I’ve been massaging it, but not strengthening! He tried shoes with inserts made for his flat foot/overpronation (which he is) and that definitely helped some. And you’re right his calves/hams are tight! We’ll have to add a little PNF gastroc/ham stretch in before and after running. Thanks!

]]> By: Patrick Kistner http://blog.athlo.com/2008/08/10/a-flexible-athlete-is-a-better-athlete-different-techniques-for-stretching/#comment-47 Patrick Kistner Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:49:06 +0000 http://blog.athlo.com/?p=46#comment-47 John, not to my knowledge has anyone created such a device. I'm always open to new business ideas. I think we might be able to corner the market with it!! Let me know.. John, not to my knowledge has anyone created such a device. I’m always open to new business ideas. I think we might be able to corner the market with it!! Let me know..

]]> By: John Nadzam http://blog.athlo.com/2008/08/10/a-flexible-athlete-is-a-better-athlete-different-techniques-for-stretching/#comment-43 John Nadzam Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:06:26 +0000 http://blog.athlo.com/?p=46#comment-43 I designed a self applicable PNF arm brace for stroke patients as a senior project when I was studying at Michigan's Engineering School. Patrick, has anyone created a device that helps an individual do CRAC without a partner. If not, want to go into business together? It has infomercial written all over it! I designed a self applicable PNF arm brace for stroke patients as a senior project when I was studying at Michigan’s Engineering School. Patrick, has anyone created a device that helps an individual do CRAC without a partner. If not, want to go into business together? It has infomercial written all over it!

]]> By: Ryan Kistner http://blog.athlo.com/2008/08/10/a-flexible-athlete-is-a-better-athlete-different-techniques-for-stretching/#comment-42 Ryan Kistner Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:43:05 +0000 http://blog.athlo.com/?p=46#comment-42 Good advice on the stretching. One thing that has really helped me is something I learned in a yoga class. The instructor had the class take deep breaths during the stretches and each time we exhaled, we stretched a little farther. I still use it and find that nothing is more effective at increasing my range of motion while doing static stretching. Good advice on the stretching. One thing that has really helped me is something I learned in a yoga class. The instructor had the class take deep breaths during the stretches and each time we exhaled, we stretched a little farther. I still use it and find that nothing is more effective at increasing my range of motion while doing static stretching.

]]> By: Patrick Kistner http://blog.athlo.com/2008/08/10/a-flexible-athlete-is-a-better-athlete-different-techniques-for-stretching/#comment-41 Patrick Kistner Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:07:40 +0000 http://blog.athlo.com/?p=46#comment-41 The ultimate sports medicine question.. How do you get rid of shin splints? Well, some main stretches i always tell my athletes, is to stretch actually the posterior leg in the calf and hamstring. Tight calves and hamstrings are usually a good preceptor to shin splints. There are, however, some biomechanical things to look at as well in the feet. High arches in the midfoot, flat feet, and pronated feet are also contributors to possible shin spints. I usually recommend possibly getting some gel inserts from a Walmart and trying those in your running shoes. Beyond that, possibly seeing a foot specialist to get some orthodics specially made to help correct the foot problem. You may also need to switch shoes and find some specialty shoes that are designed specifically for the type of foot you have. You could also try some PNF contract relax for the Anterior/Posterior Tibialis muscle if the anterior leg muscles are weak. The last thing that comes to mind is just a mixture of cross training with some days running on grass and some days running on concrete. Let me know if any of these suggestions help. The ultimate sports medicine question.. How do you get rid of shin splints? Well, some main stretches i always tell my athletes, is to stretch actually the posterior leg in the calf and hamstring. Tight calves and hamstrings are usually a good preceptor to shin splints. There are, however, some biomechanical things to look at as well in the feet. High arches in the midfoot, flat feet, and pronated feet are also contributors to possible shin spints. I usually recommend possibly getting some gel inserts from a Walmart and trying those in your running shoes. Beyond that, possibly seeing a foot specialist to get some orthodics specially made to help correct the foot problem. You may also need to switch shoes and find some specialty shoes that are designed specifically for the type of foot you have. You could also try some PNF contract relax for the Anterior/Posterior Tibialis muscle if the anterior leg muscles are weak. The last thing that comes to mind is just a mixture of cross training with some days running on grass and some days running on concrete. Let me know if any of these suggestions help.

]]> By: Patrick Kistner http://blog.athlo.com/2008/08/10/a-flexible-athlete-is-a-better-athlete-different-techniques-for-stretching/#comment-40 Patrick Kistner Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:56:49 +0000 http://blog.athlo.com/?p=46#comment-40 In response to stretching before or after a run, the answer to you question is actually both. However, prior to any run, performing a couple dynamic-warm-exercises before performing your stretches will actually get the blood flowing better to the muscles allowing for an increase in muscle elasticity and collagen fibers. This will allow for a better stretch and should increase flexibility and decrease muscle soreness. I will be posting an article soon about some of these dynamic warm-ups. A light jog or some Calistenics are great pre-workout/run exercises. Stretching after you run in a great cool down exercise for the muscles and will help decrease muscle tightness and DOMS( Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). In response to stretching before or after a run, the answer to you question is actually both. However, prior to any run, performing a couple dynamic-warm-exercises before performing your stretches will actually get the blood flowing better to the muscles allowing for an increase in muscle elasticity and collagen fibers. This will allow for a better stretch and should increase flexibility and decrease muscle soreness. I will be posting an article soon about some of these dynamic warm-ups. A light jog or some Calistenics are great pre-workout/run exercises. Stretching after you run in a great cool down exercise for the muscles and will help decrease muscle tightness and DOMS( Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).

]]> By: Liz http://blog.athlo.com/2008/08/10/a-flexible-athlete-is-a-better-athlete-different-techniques-for-stretching/#comment-37 Liz Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:19:14 +0000 http://blog.athlo.com/?p=46#comment-37 PNF is awesome, glad to hear about it being used more mainstream. One extra tip, the movement patterns used in PNF can give you a little more bang for your buck by incorporating more muscles groups. You can check a video of the patterns on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PyOK6M8Jpg&. If the person stretching you is hefty you'll find your whole body twisting as you resist - pretty intense stuff. My big question is about shin splints. I remember getting them when running in high school and I would always run on the grass to lessen them, but I don't remember ever stretching for them. Now my husband is getting them and I'm wondering if there is a stretch that could help him out. Any suggestions? PNF is awesome, glad to hear about it being used more mainstream. One extra tip, the movement patterns used in PNF can give you a little more bang for your buck by incorporating more muscles groups. You can check a video of the patterns on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PyOK6M8Jpg&. If the person stretching you is hefty you’ll find your whole body twisting as you resist - pretty intense stuff.

My big question is about shin splints. I remember getting them when running in high school and I would always run on the grass to lessen them, but I don’t remember ever stretching for them. Now my husband is getting them and I’m wondering if there is a stretch that could help him out. Any suggestions?

]]> By: Ryan Kistner http://blog.athlo.com/2008/08/10/a-flexible-athlete-is-a-better-athlete-different-techniques-for-stretching/#comment-36 Ryan Kistner Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:28:40 +0000 http://blog.athlo.com/?p=46#comment-36 Can you say Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation five times really fast? I like the CR/CRAC methods. I've done some of it playing high school football and it definitely increases your range of motion. My main form of exercise these days is running. Should I be stretching before/after each run? I feel much better if I run a mile or two to warm up and then begin stretching. I also feel less sore after a long run if I stretch afterwards. Can you say Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation five times really fast? I like the CR/CRAC methods. I’ve done some of it playing high school football and it definitely increases your range of motion. My main form of exercise these days is running. Should I be stretching before/after each run? I feel much better if I run a mile or two to warm up and then begin stretching. I also feel less sore after a long run if I stretch afterwards.

]]>