Why do humans stretch?

[filthiestfis]

I notice how much I need to stretch during the day, when I do, my bones make cracking noises but afterwards I feel much better. My cat constantly stretches too. Why is this necessary?

[Litchick]

My first guess would be that by stretching, oxygen gets into the muscles and gives more energy.

[filthiestfis]

Thanks. Anybody else have any thoughts on why we stretch?

[whiffey]

It is a good thing to do, especially when you first wake up.

Your blood pressure falls while you are asleep. If you leap straight out of bed, you may feel a little dizzy as the extra strain is suddenly placed on the circulation. Stretching and flexing your muscles while still prone will compress the veins particularly in your larger muscles and give the circulation a small kick-start.

[filthiestfis]

silly me forgot to look it up on wikipedia :o)

Here is the answer for anyone interested:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stretching

[unruliejulie]

cause it feels really nice! I love a big stretch when i wake up, i could stretch for ages.

[filthiestfis]

:o) My cat sleeps on my bed and we both stretch at the same time. We both create moaning noises as we do it.