Hello I am a runner who focuses mainly on the 400m, but sometimes I do the 200m or 100m. I was wondering if I improve my flexiblility, will I improve my speed? Right now I am kind of flexible ( I can touch my toes) but I'm not an olympian or anything. Does flexibilty affect speed?
2007-02-12 10:26:13 · 8 answers · asked by jamal is a beast 1 in Sports ➔ Running
It won't hurt your speed at all. Stretching is intended to decrease soreness and the potential for injury as well as make a muscle group work more efficiently, which is where speed could come into this picture. I would put emphasis on stretching your quads and hip flexors. This will allow you to have a longer stride, which in theory is half of the speed equation. The other half is stride frequency. That is derived from both strength and the fast-twitch muscles that God gave you at birth.
2007-02-12 10:33:12 · answer #1 · answered by Bob T 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't need to be able to put your leg behind your head to improve your speed. It helps that your muscles can move and recover after being used going through a traumatic few seconds. You are asking your muscles to do amazing things in short intense periods, make sure your muscles are warmed up, some stretching before practices and races, you do not want your muscles too long that's why you see sprinters are usually well muscled, tight and compact like in comparison to a distance, as a hurdler, high jumper, long jumper etc it helps to be flexible to a point as you are putting your muscles in different configurations.
I would say flexibility helps and affects speed in a minimal way the thing you should really be concentrating on is technique and power to improve your speed.
2007-02-15 01:24:53 · answer #2 · answered by moglie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stretching is a very controversial topic for runners. Some say it helps speed, others say it is neutral or even a detriment for anyone who isn't a hurdler. I tend to think it depends on your individual body and its needs.
What is certain though is that stretching done improperly can lead to injury, and no one is faster when they're hurt.
Start with some gentle static stretches (you can find tons of instructions online) after you are fully warmed up but before the bulk of your workout and see how you feel. If you feel looser and more fluid chances are the stretching is what your body wants and you should keep at it. If your stride feels sloppy your body might not want to stretch right then. Overtime you will learn what stretches, if any, your body needs and when your body wants them.
Just take it easy. In addition to the risk of injury, stretching cold muscles or extreme stretching can actually lead to muscle tightness rather than increased flexibility.
2007-02-12 12:37:00 · answer #3 · answered by GMoney 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well I am very good at running and I am also on the track team. I am vey flexible and right before I run I will touch my toes, and all other types of flexible thing I can do. So I do think flexibalty will affect speed.
2007-02-14 12:53:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. I personally do 200s, Triple Jump, and Long Jump.
And Sinc ei only get 7 steps for my aproach in Long/Triple I really need to gain up speed before my jumps. I've noticed that before stretching my Long Jump approach is at around 86 feet. After i stretch, and i mean hard stretched, my approach moves up 3-4 feet. Ive also noticed that my Triple Jump is significantly longer after stretches but thats a diffrent story. So to sum it all up:
Not by much but it will probably chip off a milisecond or two.
2007-02-12 11:19:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flexibility does improve speed. The more flexible your legs are, the further they can stretch apart -- which in turn makes you run faster. It also helps improve your chances of not sustaining an injury.
2007-02-12 10:44:29 · answer #6 · answered by will4144 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hello,
Flexibility & Strength are inter-related...it's hard to advance one without the other. If you want to get stronger legs for the explosive type of speed that you need for the 100m & 200m, try the stretches & leg exercises below along with your regular running workouts. It'll give you an extra boost. Best of luck!
- Mike
2007-02-14 09:44:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my coach stresses to me all the time that if your flexible you will be faster..also this could go into the category of doing form drills and hurdles before you run i have actually seen an improvement since ive started running
2007-02-13 07:19:22 · answer #8 · answered by patrick d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
--Flexibilty would indeed help a hurdler, perhaps to get over the hurdle in better form, and an easier tuck, which could mean he would fly faster over the hurdle.
--Flexibilty for your events, could always help--but as to how much, I do not know. It may stave off injuries which would be a plus.
2007-02-14 09:47:11 · answer #9 · answered by THA 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋