Is stretching important or a waste of time?
This is just what a groundbreaking research trial aims to find out. The trial, headed by Associate Professor Alexander Barratt and colleagues at the University of Sydney is a partnership between the University and the Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services.
"Our colleagues at the Norwegian Knowledge Centre have done one public randomized trial already. That was to test whether a herbal preparation for insomnia worked. The study was run with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation and attracted a lot of public interest. It worked so well that when we had the chance to collaborate with them on this trial we jumped at the opportunity,” said Associate Professor Barratt.
"I was really surprised to discover that actually no-one knows whether stretching reduces injury risk and muscle soreness. The only data available suggest that it doesn’t help, but there are problems with that evidence and so really we just don’t know. We hope the trial will provide the answer, it’s an answer that will be of interest to lots of people,” said Associate Professor Barratt.
This unique study is fast gaining widespread publicity and was recently highlighted in a feature story about Associate Professor Barratt on the ABC’s Catalyst program which aired on 27 March.
"The idea is to answer the question "Does stretching help?" but also to make randomized trials more accessible and understandable to people. That’s why we're using the internet to collect data and mass media to publicise the trial. Public randomized trials are a way to get answers to common questions about whether treatments work. If this one goes well we'd like to follow it up with a trial with of another simple and common treatment,” said Associate Professor Barratt.
How will they investigate the effects of stretching?
First we need to find the right people for our study. We are looking for adults who regularly perform vigorous recreational exercise, and who fulfil some additional criteria like having an e-mail address and internet access.
People who participate will be randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group will stretch before and after exercise and the other group will not stretch. If you join the study it’s important that you are willing to start or stop stretching to follow the stretching program given to you in the trial.
During the study, everyone will regularly report their levels of muscle soreness, injuries and general wellbeing. Based on this data, we will assess the effects of stretching in a scientifically sound way.
For more information
If you would like to find out more about this study visit the stretching trial’s website
Or you can email the research team at the University of Sydney at: stretch@health.usyd.edu.au
