How stretching actually changes your muscles

Dig into the science of stretching, and find out what it actually does to your muscles and how you can improve your flexibility.

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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?