The runner's expert guide to stretching : prevent injury, build strength and enhance performance

This ultimate stretching guide will help runners of all abilities run further, avoid injuries and improve their pace. Stretching is an incredibly important aspect of running and yet it is frequently overlooked or poorly executed. Written by the globally respected physiotherapist Paul Hobrough, who works with Olympic and World Champion athletes, The Runner's Guide to Stretching details and explains the stretches that can ease pain, build strength and enhance running performance. This book will help runners to understand their bodies, identify weaknesses and develop a natural defense against injury. Whatever your age or ability, runners will find a range of stretches, clearly organized by body part, as well as a detailed strength and conditioning program. The ultimate stretching guide, designed to help runners of all abilities run further, avoid injuries and achieve better times. Stretching is an incredibly important aspect of running and yet it is frequently overlooked or poorly executed. This book details and explains all the stretches that can ease pain, build strength and enhance running performance. Written by the globally respected physiotherapist, Paul Hobrough, who works with Olympic and World Champion athletes, The Runner's Expert Guide to Stretching will help runners to understand their bodies, identify weaknesses and develop a natural defence against injury. With easy-to-understand explanations of anatomy and physiology, and a comprehensive directory of running stretches, runners of any age or ability will find an ideal range of stretches, clearly organised by body part, as well as a detailed strength and conditioning programme. With more than 2 million of us running at least once a week in the UK alone, this is the go-to guide for every runner. 1 Introduction 2 Running Explained 3 Stretching 4 Muscle Myths: Stretching Science Debunked 5 Strength Training 6 Anatomy and Physiology 7 Diet and Nutrition 8 Before You Start 9 Checking Your Strength and Flexibility 10 Reducing Injury 11 Coping with Injury 12 The Basics 13 Stretches and Strength Exercises by Body Area 14 Building Strength 15 Strength and Conditioning Workouts 16 Final Word Acknowledgements Bibliography Index