Active-Isolated stretching

[heycal]

Does anyone do active-isolated stretching, or know much about it? It's basically the opposite idea of regular stretching -- only stretch for a couple of seconds at a time, several times in a row. As I understand it, AI proponents believe that holding a stretch longer than a couple of seconds actually bad for you. And yet almost everyone, everywhere, including virtually all physical therapists and health practioners, suggest a nice long stretch of 30 seconds or longer is essential to get any benefit. (I'm not talking about dynamic stretching or proper warming up, etc, but 'static' stretches.)

Who is right, and why?

 

[ollinger]

combined with "active cortex".......

 

[r2473]

Who is right, and why?

In an effort to remain politically correct and socially agreeable, it is important to remember that everyone is correct. Or at least that nobody is incorrect. Everybody's opinion is imoportant and needs to be treated with respect.

Hope this helps.

 

[NJ1]

Yes, this is what I do Instead of holding a pose, I gently and slowly rock back and forth. My flexibility improves with regular static and dynamic stretches, but it is relative as naturally I am "as inflexible as a board". This style is what I was always told to practice by my boxing trainer from back in the day, though he did not say holds were bad just that this was better.

I've been ramping up all my physical activity (which has been tough as work has been brutal lately) in the last 4 months as I'm visiting a friend in Shanghai who is not only better than me at tennis but is also likely nowadays going to dismantle me in the ring when we spar (wife isn't being told about that part of the trip)

Anyhow, I'd say stretching is good no matter what style, heycal. The way the pros arch and coil up on their serve is a sight to behold. Good luck with it and let us know how it works out.

 

[heycal]

Anyhow, I'd say stretching is good no matter what style, heycal.

Well, that's the thing. The active-isolated advocates would say long stretches are bad for you, and the traditional group would say these short stretches are useless.

I've actually done AI regularly if not rigorously for many years before lifting weights. Who knows if it helped or not, though I will say I didn't have too many strained muscles in all that time. But now that I'm batting some neck and back issues, and everyone I see or everything I read says I must do long stretches to get any benefit, I've wondered about these issues again.

 

[WildVolley]

Seems that nobody knows. This is the sort of thing that is studied in kinesiology programs, but I don't know what quality of data actually exists.

I have read a number of abstracts on static stretching that showed reduced power output for various amounts of time afterward, but some people even dispute that.

I don't stretch at all and have terrible flexibility in static stretching, but video shows I have a fairly deep racket drop and athletic movement, so I don't worry about it.