Stretching!

Remember when you used to do this in school? When was the last time you stretched yourself or your dog?

Stretching has been proven to reduce the incidence of injuries by improving flexibility[i]. Flexibility is important in sport dogs due to movements asked of them when competing. Think of the way your dog goes though the weaves, does tight turns, takes off for a higher jump, or adjusts their back end to avoid hitting a jump. All of these require flexibility. In other sports such as obedience, flexibility is used in heeling, pivots, and retrieves.

So the big questions:

1. Why does stretching prevent injuries? Studies have shown certain muscles are more likely to tear when they are tight[ii]. This tightness means that the body cannot use these muscles to their full extent, and at the same time predisposes them to being torn as tight muscles cannot adjust appropriately when a sudden movement or stretch (e.g. a jump or a slip) is applied.
2. What are the mistakes you can make when stretching?

– Stretching cold muscles[iii] [iv]. All stretches should be done when the muscles are warm, but not hot. Static stretches should not be done prior to exercise.

– Stretching injured muscles[v] – Acute muscle and ligament injuries should not be stretched except by (or under the direction of) a professional.

– Stretching muscles too far – At no point should a stretch be forced. When moving a dog into a sketch it should be done slowly and only until resistance is felt.

– Not stretching at all.

Stretches should be done 3-4 times per week, for a minimum of 20 seconds, preferably 30[vi]. What needs to be stretched is dependent on a cocombination of factors including your dog’s activities, their conformation (build), any old injuries etc.

With any exercise program I design there will be a stretching component included, and you will be shown how to safely perform these stretches on your dog.

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[i] Witvrouw, Danneels, Asselman et al. Muscle flexibility as a risk factor of developing muscle injuries in professional male soccer players – Am J Sports Med 2003; 31(1): 41-6

[ii] Hartig, Henderson. Increasing hamstrings flexibility decreases lower extremity overuse injuries in military basic trainees – Am J Sports Med 1999; 27(2):173-6

[iii] Shrier. Stretching before exercise does not reduce the risk of muscle injury: A critical review of the clinical EVIDENCE – Clin J Sports Med 9, 221-227 1999

[iv] Herda TJ, Cramer JT, Ryan ED, McHugh MP, Stout JR. Acute effects of static versus dynamic stretching on isometric peak torque, electromyography, and mechanomyography of the biceps femoris muscle – J Strength Cond Res. 2008 May; 22(3):809-17.

[v] Sherry, Best. A Comparison of 2 Rehabilitation Programs in the Treatment of Acute Hamstring Strains – J Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2004 Volume:34 Issue:3 Pages:116–125

[vi] Bandy, Irion. The effect of time on static stretch on the flexibility of the hamstring muscles – Phys Ther 1994 Sep; 74(9):845-50