Lally, D. A. (1994). Stretching and injury in distance runners. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 26(5), Supplement abstract 473.

A random sample of 600 marathon entrants was analyzed. It was revealed that 35% greater injuries in the previous 12 months occurred in those who practiced stretching over those who did not.

Implication. Stretching, in marathon runners, does not prevent injury. Depending on how and when it is conducted, it may cause minute damages that serve as precursors to injury.

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