Stretching can be one of the most beneficial things for a runner to do after any run, but it is often the overlooked part of the cool-down.
It helps to reduce muscle tension after a run, improving blood flow and aiding the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest system) in its recovery after the stress caused by a run. Stretching also improves a coordination (we’ve all hopped about trying to stretch a quad) and helps prevent injuries by giving you the opportunity to spot early indications of a niggle. It can also decrease postrun soreness.
