Flexibility and Speed

[Monkey]

does flexibility have ANYTHING to do with an athlete's speed? if you're flexible, would that help you a little more with your speed?

[Gartrell]

Absolutely it does. If you're more flexible you can get longer strides meaning more speed.

[phildavies]

As well as improving your stride flexibility there is evidence to suggest increased flexibility promotes relaxation within the muscle. An agonist muscle can only contract as fast as its antagonist can relax so there may be some advantages there. In terms of stretching...

A few studies have shown that intense forms of stretching (i.e. PNF and isometric stretching) *immediately before* an event can reduce sprinting speed and power output.

[InkZ]

yup, which is why you do dynamic stretching before, and isometrics after

[JohnDavisJ]

whats the difference between dynamic and iso, i forget