What Is Being Stretched During Flexibility Training?
Muscle fascia’s lack of resistance to stretch makes it the most significant, changeable, limiting factor for gains in flexibility. Muscle fascia gives muscle the ability to change length. Muscle itself can be stretched to 150% of it’s length if relaxed and uninhibited by muscle fascia. Muscle fascia’s physical properties are not unlike that of candy taffy. When it’s warm, it is “stretchable”. When it’s cold, it is brittle and breakable. Because of these physical characteristics, a participant should warm the body first and hold sustained stretches so the muscle fascia can literally cool in a new and lengthened position. Types of Stretching There are 5 types of stretching techniques available: • Static Stretching- a controlled stretch, held at the point of mild tension for about 10-60 seconds. • Dynamic or Ballistic Stretching- Uses bouncing, jerking or abrupt movements to gain momentum into the posture to facilitate overstretching. • Active Stretching- Voluntary, unassisted movement wh
