Muscle injury is one of the main problems faced by athletes, both amateurs and professionals.
Skeletal muscle injuries account for over 30% of the damage recorded in sports medicine clinics. It is therefore essential to exploit the most effective system in the prevention of this type of injury
However, there are conflicting opinions regarding the use of heating and muscle stretching as methods of reducing injury.
In an article published in 2007, the potential of heating and / or stretching to prevent muscle injuries during physical activity was evaluated. The work, entitled "Warm-up and stretching in the prevention of muscular injury", examines a series of studies concerning warming, stretching and muscle injury. Many of the differences in the results of published research were due to conflicting definitions. The article is also interested in this problem, examining the bibliography on muscle injuries, physical adaptations to injury and training.
The work provides contradictory evidence against previous review articles. Some concluded by saying that: heating and / or stretching systems did not prevent the occurrence of injuries. Others define that: certain techniques and protocols have shown a positive effectiveness in preventing injuries.
Ultimately, both the warm-up and the stretching protocol should be implemented before physical activity and, to get the maximum benefit, this routine should be done in the previous 15 minutes.
It remains to be seen what could be the optimal protocol for prevention, bearing in mind that it should not negatively affect sports performance.
