186. Should Runners Be Stretching? What The Science Says On Flexibility, Performance & Injury Prevention

Stretching before a run—does it actually help or could it be holding you back? 🤔

In this myth-busting, science-packed episode, we’re diving deep into the research on stretching, injury prevention, and performance. You’ll discover why some stiffness might actually be your secret weapon for better running economy and why strength training—not stretching—could be the key to staying injury-free.

We'll cover:

- What stretching actually does to your muscles & performance

- Whether stretching prevents injuries (or if that’s just a myth)

- Why elite runners might want to be stiff (yes, really!)

- The best warm-up strategies backed by science

If you’ve ever wondered "Should I be stretching?", this episode is for you. Expect fun, engaging science, practical takeaways, and some serious aha moments!

Research Mentioned:

"The Effects of Different Warm-Up Methods on Explosive Strength" (2023, Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis)
"Effects of Stretching on Strength, Endurance & Power" (2024, Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis)
"To Stretch or Not to Stretch?" (2009, Systematic Review)
"The Effectiveness of Exercise Interventions for Injury Prevention" (2016, Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis)
"Running Economy & Lower Extremity Stiffness" (2022, Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis)

This episode will challenge what you thought you knew about stretching—and give you the tools to train smarter.

Connect with us:

📸 Instagram: @strongerstride | @lydia_mckay | @sophielane

🎥 YouTube: Watch on YouTube @strongerstride

Discount Codes:

TAILWINDSTRONG – 15% off Tailwind Nutrition for premium hydration & recovery

STRONGERSTRIDE – 15% off Vivobarefoot shoes

STRONGER15 – 15% off Skorcha Sunscreen

Thanks for listening & supporting the show! Let us know if this episode changed your approach to stretching!

TSSP x