How stretching actually changes your muscles

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Malachy McHugh |

TED-Ed

• March 2023

An athlete is preparing for a game. They've put on their gear and done their warmup, and now it's time for one more routine — stretching. Typically, athletes stretch before physical activity to avoid injuries like strains and tears. But does stretching actually prevent these issues? And if so, how long do the benefits of stretching last? Malachy McHugh explores the finer points of flexibility. [Directed by Sofia Pashaei, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio].