Master the Art of Timing: Haircuts, Stretching and Dog Care Tips

On Apr 11, 2024

The Importance of Effective Stretching for Cyclists

As a cyclist, you will likely agree that your ultimate goal is to feel every emotion deeply during your rides, whether they last three hours or three weeks. This powerful emotional connection is a product of embracing the cycling lifestyle and developing a “cycologist” mindset. This mindset helps you recognize the world’s interrelatedness and credits your pleasant mood after supper to an exhilarating morning cycling activity.

However, the ability to comprehend all of the world’s interrelatedness can lead to a complex, tangled mental mess. To avoid this, you can adopt the approach of splitting hairs, particularly when it comes to stretching. The published research about stretching is a mixed bag, leading to confusion about its true benefits.

Should Cyclists Stretch Before Riding?

A comprehensive review published in December 2015 by Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism highlighted 119 studies where stretching negatively affected athletic performance, 145 studies where its effect was uncertain, and 6 where athletic performance improved significantly due to stretching. Given these conflicting results, it would be misguided to advocate for stretching before cycling.

However, stretching after a long weekend ride is an entirely different matter. The type of stretching effective in this context is dynamic stretching, similar to yoga, tai chi, and pilates. To perform dynamic stretching, using a knobby and harder-than-normal foam roller like RumbleRoller for two 20- to 25-minute sessions each weekend can work wonders.

Does Stretching Extend Lifespan?

While focusing on maintaining your cycling performance, you might be interested in knowing that stretching can extend your lifespan. A study published online by BMC Public Health in June 2023 analyzed exercise information from over 34,000 Korean adults. They divided participants into three groups based on their exercise intensity: hardcore, moderate, and those who barely or didn’t exercise at all. The researchers found that those who stretched at least once a week had a 20% lower risk of dying during the follow-up period.

An earlier study published by Medicine and Science in Sports Exercise in December 2020 also found that regular stretching was associated with a lower risk of early death.

Conclusion

Thus, even though the case for stretching before a ride might not be strong, it does hold significant benefits after a ride and even contributes to an increased lifespan. Hence, it should be an integral part of not only your cycling routine but your overall wellness plan as well.

About the author: Kevin Kolodziejski began his writing career in earnest in 1989. He has Bachelor and Masters degrees in English from DeSales and Kutztown Universities. An active cyclist for more than 30 years, Kevin has numerous victories under his belt, including two Pennsylvania State Time Trial championships.

For more cycling tips: Pearl Izumi Attack Bibs, Jerseys, and Summit Gloves – Quick Review