Air date: August 16, 2009

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It's always interesting to come across medical research that cuts across the grain of what we think know to be true.

Like, for example, the benefits of stretching before exercise. We're all taught that before running or playing basketball or whatever, it's important to stretch.

Why?

For Bloomington, Indiana teenager David Demmler, stretching is a good way to get his muscles ready for action.

"I stretch before running because it's such a repeated impact on my muscles I like to loosen them up, stretch them out, get them warmed up a little before."

Reed McClure, a kid I found playing pickup basketball, voiced another common idea about stretching.

"Stretches out your muscles and makes it you're less likely to get injured."

That's a typical reason for stretching, something we're taught in school. Coaches makes us stretch because, well, because is good for you.

Except that, most of the time, it's not.

According to dozens of recent studies, the kinds of stretching that most people do before exercise -- things like touching your toes ten times, or holding a leg stretch for 30 seconds -- that sort of static stretching is actually bad for your muscles. It weakens them.

So what should you do to warm up?

Experts recommend things that get your blood flowing and raise body temperature -- like light jogging. Jumping jacks would probably work just as well.

But if you must stretch, try dynamic stretching -- that is, stretching while moving. One technique is the straight-leg march, where you kick on leg straight out and reach for the toes with the opposite arm.

To warm up your shoulders, try handwalks. First, bend over and put your palms flat on the ground. Then walk your hands forward until your back is extended. Then inch forward with your feet. Kind of like an inchworm.

Dynamic stretching might look a little silly, but it'll warm you up more than touching your toes ever will.

Additional Resources:

• Read more tips on stretching, from the New York Times.

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