Quote (SKCRaynor @ Tue, 29 Jul 2008, 02:07)
Hey there -
My_Lesson, I think you misunderstood what we said. We were saying that the "studies" that are done under controlled conditions are merely alleged studies performed in order to prove a point. The results can be manipulated in order to favor one side or another. The major point of this is that experience trumps studies of all kinds. The best way to find out if stretching or anything else for that matter are effective is to talk to guys at the gym who have been working out for years and years and know what works. Speak to athletes, bodybuilders, chiropractors, medical doctors, and personal trainers...virtually everyone will agree that by personal opinion - light stretching before and after a vigorous weight-lifting workout will yield better pump, larger range of motion, as well as greater strength gains over a period of time - which a lesser propensity for injury.
I'm not arguing that the studies are incorrect, but rather saying that its best to go by what works for YOUR body...vs the bodies of those people who participated in the studies. Don't forget, studies are not perfect...especially those that study the human body which differs so greatly between each of us. Another example would be creatine - for some people its extremely effective for gaining muscle size and strength, other people say they have absolutely no change between using creatine and not.
All in all, I'd say let personal experience, and the advice of those who have personal experience be your guide. Studies may be a good baseline, but in general do not reflect the actuality for everyone =)
Hello hello
I get your point but I think you also missed my.
It's very easy to manipulate a study, but as I said you got to make a own opinion about it from your general impression of it, where it came from, how the study was made, who participate in the study, how they wrote the conclusions and much more. It's not that hard to make your own opinion how believeable the study is after reading it and looked up where it was publicated.
If you read a "study" made by a supplement industy that claims something hyped about this new supplement - You won't rate it as high as if some known doctor wrote a study and publicated it in a big sportsmed magazine.
You make your own conclusion about the subject efter reading studies, comparing them with your own experience, comparing to what that big gym rat said and so on.
But studies are very important, it is harder for you as a single person without or with very little to compare with and without the high tech measurement techniques.
About the creatine example. The studies showed that creatine generally worked as it was suppose to. The studies also showed that a smaller group didn't respond to creatine at all. I think you wrote this example to compare to the stretching studies. The stretching studies showed that it didn't have any effect on muscle soreness or decreased chance of injury at all.
About the stretching matter. I can tell you that I do stretch, but not becouse of the benefits you said but just that it feels good.
In the biggest fitness and body building forum in my country are they are pretty much agreed on that stretching does not lower the chance of getting injured or has any impact on muscle soreness. Theres alot of athletes, bodybuilders, chiropractors, medical doctors, and personal trainer there. And they have many studies to show about it too.
Stretching is a pretty hot topic at the moment really.
I've read alot of studies about this matter becouse it interests me, and my conclusion from those and personal experience is that these statements are false.
Couldn't you try to find those stuides that contradicted what I've said, would really much like to read them.