Stretching for Runners - Running Stretch Descriptions

It is important to take the time to incorporate stretching into your running routine. Stretching increases your range of motion and decreases your risk of injuring yourself while running. Stretching after running can dramatically decrease your post-run soreness and stiffness. Stretching in your daily life is also a great way to reduce stress and tension. Browse below for Run The Planet's information on stretching, why stretching is useful, and what kinds of stretching to do.

From the Book "Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Stretching & Flexibility"

by Brad Appleton

Chapters:

• About the Author, Acknowledgements and Disclaimer
• Physiology of Stretching
  • The Musculoskeletal System
  • Muscle Composition
    • How Muscles Contract
    • Fast and Slow Muscle Fibers
  • Connective Tissue
  • Cooperating Muscle Groups
  • Types of Muscle Contractions
  • What Happens When You Stretch
    • Proprioceptors
    • The Stretch Reflex
      • Components of the Stretch Reflex
    • The Lengthening Reaction
    • Reciprocal Inhibition
• Flexibility
  • Types of Flexibility
  • Factors Limiting Flexibility
    • How Connective Tissue Affects Flexibility
    • How Aging Affects Flexibility
  • Strength and Flexibility
    • Why Bodybuilders Should Stretch
    • Why Contortionists Should Strengthen
  • Overflexibility
• Types of Stretching
  • Ballistic Stretching
  • Dynamic Stretching
  • Active Stretching
  • Passive Stretching
  • Static Stretching
  • Isometric Stretching
    • How Isometric Stretching Works
  • PNF Stretching
    • How PNF Stretching Works
• How to Stretch
  • Warming Up
    • General Warm-Up
      • Joint Rotations
      • Aerobic Activity
    • Warm-Up Stretching
      • Static Warm-Up Stretching
      • Dynamic Warm-Up Stretching
    • Sport-Specific Activity
  • Cooling Down
  • Massage
  • Elements of a Good Stretch
    • Isolation
    • Leverage
    • Risk
  • Some Risky Stretches
  • Duration, Counting, and Repetition
  • Breathing During Stretching
  • Exercise Order
  • When to Stretch
    • Early-Morning Stretching
  • Stretching With a Partner
  • Stretching to Increase Flexibility
  • Pain and Discomfort
    • Common Causes of Muscular Soreness
    • Stretching with Pain
    • Overstretching
  • Performing Splits
    • Common Problems When Performing Splits
    • The Front Split
    • The Side Split
    • Split-Stretching Machines
• References on Stretching
  • Recommendations
  • Additional Comments
• Working Toward the Splits
  • Lower Back Stretches
  • Lying Buttock Stretch
  • Groin and Inner-Thigh Stretch
  • Seated Leg Stretches
    • Seated Calf Stretch
    • Seated Hamstring Stretch
    • Seated Inner-Thigh Stretch
  • Psoas Stretch
  • Quadricep Stretch
  • Lying V Stretch
• Normal Ranges of Joint Motion
  • Neck
  • Lumbar Spine
  • Shoulder
  • Elbow
  • Wrist
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Ankle