Herbert, R.D. and de Noronha, M. (2007)

Researchers have suggested that stretching before or after exercise in young, healthy athletes has little or no effect on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) - that painful ache many people feel the day after taking part in vigarous exercise.

The researchers assessed whether stretching could reduce stiffness, and concluded from numerous research projects that the estimated effects of stretching were extremely small, and that the studies were all remarkably consistent, suggesting that stretching before or after exercise does not prevent muscle soreness in young healthy adults.

Please note this study does not consider the potentially beneficial effects that stretching may have on injury prevention, or on improving flexibility in athletes with reduced flexibility.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2007) Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004577. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD004577.pub2

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Tags: ache, aching, cochrane review, cool down, DOMS, muscle soreness, pain, sore, stretching, warm up

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