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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Does stretching prevent injury?

    Related Topic
    Sports Injuries & Prevention
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    Tim Paine

    Physiotherapist

    About:I completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Honours at the University of Newcastle in 2011. Between completing university and starting work at Mitchell Physiotherapy I … View Profile

    A long-term stretching program has been linked to decreasing injury rate. Stretching immediately before an activity is definately advised although there is no real evidence to the effectiveness of that. As part of a weekly routine, long-term stretching has been associated with decreased injury rate.

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  • Jack Cowled

    Chiropractor

    After treating a range of professional and amateur athletes in Scotland, Jack Cowled has returned to become LiveActive’s dedicated sports chiropractor. Jack's long history of … View Profile

    Increased mobility leads to a decrease in the amount and severity of injuries, however simply stretching prior to exercise may not be sufficient to prevent these injuries.

    Like with any form of exercise, a measured, progressive Mobility program should be undertaken. This mobility program can consist of Foam rolling, Trigger point therapy, muscle release techniques, rehabilitative exercises and both static and dynamic stretching.

    Maintaining this mobility program will help decrease the occurence of injuries and ensure quicker recovery, should an injury occur.

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    Dr Andrew Lim

    Chiropractor

    Andrew has a Masters in Chiropractic and his interest in Sports Chiropractic has led him to treat many athletes from junior to elite levels in … View Profile

    It depends.

    If you are stretching ramdom muscles without any particular goal, you may not prevent injury.

    You may benefit in seeing a health professional to work out which muscles are tight on you,  or which muscles are more prone to shortening due to your posture, sitting/work habits and/or exercise goals. Then it wil be easier to focus on a stretching/mobility program with the specific goal of preventing injury. 

    If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me.  <span style="line-height: 1.6;">Andrew@sportsandchiro.com.au </span>

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