After long runs I get stiff just underneath my buttock/at the very top of my leg.
Normal hamstring stretches don't seem to get to this bit at the very top of the leg.
Can anybody recommend a good stretch for this - more the point, can you describe it in simple terms suitable for the forum
??
Comments
a very good site with monthly letters e-mailed to you on a wide range of subjects.
Maybe tightness you feel is more to do with the glute muscle than your hamstring. Any stretches you do should be held for 30 seconds or so and don't "bounce" them.
Congrats on the weight loss, is that all down to excercise or diet aswell?
Tim - yes - agree - causes amusement from the other side of the bed - although I normally do this one (this stretch!!) on the living room floor.
Sarcy1 - thanks also for the link. I do hold the stretches for 30secs without bouncing. Weight loss was a combination of diet and exercise - done very gradually over about 6 months. The good news is that although I'm only running about 12 miles a week, the weight has stayed off and I'm eating pretty much what I like.
Also on the more serious side try howtostretch.com he has pictures and stuff - I've found stuff to help me.
Don't use static stretches during a warm up, use dynamic exercises or drills that complement the activity you are about to do.
Static stretches are ok after exercise during cool down but don't hold for longer than 10 secs.
If you want to improve flexibility do a dedicated stretching session (after a good warm up) when stretches should be held for up to 30 seconds, holding a stretch longer than that has been shown to give no further benefit.
I expect a lot of experienced runners will find it hard to agree, having stretched before events for years. At the end of the day you do what makes you happy I'm just passing on the info that came my way, but "studies have shown" that stretching during a warm up can lead to a 7% reduction in performance over a jog only warm up. Hmmmm
Cheers
Jo.
Gerard Hartmann does some interesting stuff that has worked for several people on the forum - here's the link.
http://www.hartmann-international.com/001articles/stretching.htm
Let us know if they work!
yes - its like sitting on an invisible chair with one leg crossed if that makes it more clear!!
Gerrard Hartmann is Paula Radcliffe's physio if you want another recommendation!
In my infinite wisdom, in addition to some 'gentle' running I've started playing netball. Last night while playing I felt a burning sensation in my upper thigh (front) - I'm not very good at naming muscle- and extreme pain on putting pressure on the leg and especially when lifting the leg.
What have I done???
Help
Gill
In addition to rest, is it worth putting anything on it like ibruprofen gel/deepheat??
I have already posted this message in another area of the website but I am thinking I might get a few more repsonses here.
About 1 1/2 months ago I was playing football when during the game I felt a slight pain in the top half of my right hamstring and lower glut. I thought nothing of it and felt the pain would go away with a week of rest. Unfortunately the injury has not subsided and has now spread into my lower back. My hamstring and glut seem to hurt with prolonged siting, squating,accelerating and the pain in my back prevents me from bending(mainly forward). During the past 1 1/2 months I have exercised very little hoping the pain will go away but it seems that it has become worse. Can anyone offer some advise and/or the name of a good physiotherapist who has experience of these injuries in Manchester UK. Thanks a lot Theo