A new wave of research is showing what the old gym myths about stretching got wrong—and what you really need to do to reap its benefits.

Everyone loves a good stretch. The practice feels good because the act of stretching activates a network of relaxing and calming nerves and increases blood flow to one's muscles. Stretching also ...

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is a form of assisted stretching. It combines passive stretching with muscle contraction. First, your partner applies force to stretch your muscle ...

Professional sprinters sometimes spend an hour warming up for a race that lasts about 10 seconds. In fact, it’s common for many athletes to perform dynamic stretches in their warmup and static ...

A great number of studies showed in the last years that static stretching performed immediately before athletic activity has negative effects on lower extremity performance during athletic activities ...

Be honest: do you stretch before and after your workouts? If you don’t, you actually might be onto something. Most physically active adults with reasonable fitness goals may not need to stretch at all ...

Stretching may provide a variety of benefits. People can perform stretches anywhere and at any time. Doing so regularly may help increase flexibility and reduce the risk of injury. Share on Pinterest ...

Engrained in us since middle school sports is the need a stretch before and after every workout. The days when your basketball team would circle up mid-court for a series full-body stretches, held for ...

Your adductor muscles help maintain a strong hip, knee, core, and lower back. To keep these muscles loose and avoid cramps, include dynamic stretches as part of your warm-up routine and static ...

Alternate working your back and abdominal muscles with this simple routine. You can easily perform both of these moves at the end of your weight- or cardio-strengthening program to keep your core ...