In November, I ran the New York City marathon for the first time. In the months leading up to the race, I consistently prioritized one thing in my training regimen, even more than running: stretching.

A: A new experiment with young male athletes suggests that the answer could depend on how we feel about stretching and what kind of exercise — and stretching — we intend to do. Once, stretching before ...

To improve flexibility and mobility, athletes and active individuals often rely on several forms of stretching. These involve lengthening or flexing a muscle or tendon to promote enhanced elasticity.