Longevity debate: foam rolling & static stretching is it effective? What does our team think?
The Longevity team recently held our first online debate with some of our practitioners to discuss the question: foam rolling & static stretching is it effective? What does our team think?
Using the platform of a debate allows our team members to challenge our critical thinking whilst discussing relevant topics. We are frequently asked by clients about foam rolling and stretching, so we thought why not have some fun while we’re at it.
The affirmative team consisted of Andrew, Rachel and Vaishnavi, whilst the negative team was Ellen, Annabel and Jackie. Courtney was the debate moderator.
Overall, it was great to challenge our own thoughts and expand our perspectives on the benefits and downfalls of foam rolling and static stretching.
What points did both sides bring to the table?
| Affirmative | Negative |
| • Static stretching and foam rolling can help people mentally prepare for a workout. | • Dynamic stretching and activation exercises are more comparable to movements in daily life. It helps someone improve control and understand how their body moves in space more than static stretching or foam rolling. |
| • Distracts the nervous system away from a painful, tight, or sore area. It can calm down the nervous system and teach the body that it’s okay to be in this new lengthened position. | • The feeling of a ‘tight’ muscle often means it is weak and would benefit from more strength-based exercises rather than stretching. |
| • Social and rapport building aspect as you can talk to someone whilst they foam roll, or you take them through static stretches. | • Increases heart rate and blood flow more to working muscles. |
| • Good for beginners who are building skills to be able to do dynamic stretches and more complex warm-ups. | • Stretching is not the only way to improve flexibility. Strength exercise is also shown to increase flexibility and is often more time efficient and shown to have more robust health benefits. |
Both sides presented extremely well-thought-out arguments with supporting evidence and theories. But on the night the negative team came out as victors!
Courtney: “Although the negative team won, we still believe there is a place for static stretching and foam rolling. The most important thing is understanding the goals, conditions and personality of our clients and prescribing the best exercise program that addresses all these factors.”
You’re completely right Courtney, we pride ourselves on treating the individual that presents in front of us. We’ll tailor our prescription to appropriately suit their goals, conditions, and interests to help get the best results.
We asked Jackie and Rachel who they thought were the best debaters on each team:
Jackie: “The best debater on the day was Annabel by far, she passed the vibe check on the debate aspect”
Rachel: “I think everyone made good arguments, Jackie had some great points and Annabel at the end.”
It’s great to know that if we’re ever in an argument – Annabel is the superstar debater!
As we mentioned before, a debate is a not only a fun activity between practitioners, it is also greatly beneficial to our clinical knowledge and an awesome way to stay up to date with current literature.
Jackie and Rachel, why do you think a debate is beneficial for practitioners to conduct?
Jackie: “It was good to hear everyone’s ideas on a popular topic, challenge opinions in a similar way to how clients challenge us and exchange clinic al thoughts in an intriguing way”
Rachel: “It was good, it’s always great to challenge the critical thinking”
If you want tailored exercise prescription suited to your goals, conditions, and interests to help get the best results, give Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble, Balmain, Neutral Bay, Coburg – Melbourne, and Barrie, Ontario – Canada a call on 1300 964 002 today!
Written by Grayson Keiran