Stretching before or after exercise has little or no effect on subsequent muscle soreness, research shows.

A Cochrane Collaboration analysis of 10 trials found stretching reduced soreness by less than one point on a 100-point scale.

The main reason to stretch before exercise is not to reduce soreness, but to reduce the risk of injury. It lengthens the muscles, improves their elasticity and makes them better prepared to cope with the duress of exercise.

[Read](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7046634.stm “Read the Story”) (BBC)