Stretching

[PV021]

is stretching bad for jumpers. Recently i heard that stretching is bad for all jumpers.

[powerplant42]

NO! NO!!! NO... WOW... If this was a coach that told you this, they need to seriously consider removing themselves from coaching until they actually learn what the heck they're doing, and if it was an athlete, they need to stop competing until they realize how WRONG their thoughts on stretching are. While I see why someone would come to think this, it is STILL NO EXCUSE FOR PREACHING IT! ESPECIALLY to kids. The misconception comes from the fact that STATIC stretching can limit a jumper's (and any athlete's) performance. Static stretching is for the most part a no-no before competition (it is excellent for cool-downs and days where you have no practice)... DYNAMIC stretching is the way to go, things like A-skips, B-skips, handwalks, bounds, butt kicks, etc. This is because dynamic stretching heats up the muscles, while static stretching only loosens them. THANK YOU FOR ASKING THIS QUESTION! YOU (AND OTHERS) HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN SAVED FROM SERIOUS INJURY! You can search for more info on here about static vs. dynamic stretching, there are a few other topics on the issue.

[ACvault]

you can also do leg swings. oh, and if you are vaulting make sure you stretch out your back and arms.

[PV021]

yeh thats what i thought. because i went to this camp and they said stretching overtime is like a rubber band. after a while its going snap.

[VaultPurple]

The misconception comes from the fact that STATIC stretching can limit a jumper's (and any athlete's) performance. Static stretching is for the most part a no-no before competition (it is excellent for cool-downs and days where you have no practice)... DYNAMIC stretching is the way to go, things like A-skips, B-skips, handwalks, bounds, butt kicks, etc.

I have been reading post on pole vault power for a few months about stretching and hace come to the conclusion that it is diffrent for everyone.

Everyone seems to think that you only need to dynamic stretches befor you jump because of the lack of power caused by static stretches. I think someone posted that its a 10% loss if you static stretch before u compeate, but it is a 10% gain if you static stretch every day after practice. I tried to follow the guidelines people said were best by just stretching after practice and meets and doing dynamic stretches befor I jump. Conclusion, I kept pulling my quad everytime I jumped and swung my leg. I never had this happen when I did static stretches before I jumped. So now I do static and dynamic stretches befor I jump, and dynamic stretches after. So my 10% gain and loss just cancle each other out and I feel I am less likely to sustain enjury.

The thing about stretching with pole vault is that you can warm up your muscles really good but most people just go and do their warm ups and then have to sit down a while and you cool down. Then if you use the trail leg right you are really putting a strain on ur quad by contracting it so quicly to do the trail leg kick.

[KYLE ELLIS]

Except there is no scientific study that shows that stretching helps prevent injuries. I think the 10% loss would come from doing an extensive static warm-up, I seriously doubt that would happen with a light static warm-up (holding only for 5-8 seconds), which is what I do. I would say that loss comes from folk who hold it 15-30 seconds and stretch to the point of pain. And if you are pulling you’re quad, then stretching wouldn’t help. Strengthening the connective tissue in your quads would probably be a better idea.

[gymnastsrock]

I'm abnormally flexible-even for a gymnast my level, and have done gymnastics for the past 12 years. I don't feel ready or fully warmed up unless I've stretched quite a bit. I've kept up my same stretchng routine during my 2 seasons thusfar of vaulting, and haven't really noticed anything wrong, and Ihave been improving. Will all my stretching hinder me?

[KYLE ELLIS]

I'm abnormally flexible-even for a gymnast my level, and have done gymnastics for the past 12 years. I don't feel ready or fully warmed up unless I've stretched quite a bit. I've kept up my same stretchng routine during my 2 seasons thusfar of vaulting, and haven't really noticed anything wrong, and Ihave been improving. Will all my stretching hinder me?

Stretching won't keep you from improving your technique in the vault, and you can still get stronger and faster etc.. But You may not reach the level you would have had you not done extensive stretching the past 12 years. If you are naturally flexible then it may not of affected you. The reason "OVER STRETCHING" is bad is because you lose some the elasticity in your muscle/tendons. When you do anything explosive your muscle goes through a pre-stretch causing a more violent contraction, but if you have lost some the elasticity in your muscle then you will lose some speed and explosiveness. When you stretch and hold it for a long time and stretch to the point of pain studies have shown that the micro-tears will not be replaced by muscle fibers, yet they will be replaced by scar tissue which has little or noe elasticity properties.

[powerplant42]

You're kidding, right?...

[KYLE ELLIS]

You're kidding, right?...

What do you mean by this? If you disagree post your thoughts instead of a vague comment. Im not pulling this stuff out of the air and if you have ever taken a exercise physiology class you should already know this.

[powerplant42]

Yes, you're right... I apologize. Let's begin with a question to gymnastsrock: Why is it advantageous to a gymnast to be flexible?

[rainbowgirl28]

Yes, you're right... I apologize. Let's begin with a question to gymnastsrock: Why is it advantageous to a gymnast to be flexible?

Because they are judged on their ability to hit positions that require a lot of flexibility?