Resistance stretching starts muscles at their shortest point and uses the body’s own resistance to push them to their longest point, improving flexibility and strength. It is based on PNF stretching and can be done alone or with a trainer. It is believed to eliminate joint stress and correct bone alignment, and is popular among athletes. Proponents claim it is not painful and can prevent injuries.
Unlike a standard stretch, which extends a muscle and then relaxes it at its longest point, resistance stretching starts the muscle at its shortest point and pushes it to its longest point, while using the person’s own body to resist. the stretch. This allows the muscle to contract and lengthen at the same time, improving both flexibility and strength. Proponents of resistance stretching claim that by contracting the muscle at the same time as it is lengthening, it allows the muscle to actually stretch and get stronger. It can be done alone with little to no equipment or with a trainer.
This form of exercise is part of the Meridian Flexibility System and is based on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching (PNF stretching), which was developed in the 1940s as a form of physical therapy for paralyzed patients. Resistance stretching is believed to eliminate joint stress and correct bone alignment. It is now used by many athletes in place of traditional stretching and was made popular in 2000 by Olympic gold medalist Dara Torres, who claimed resistance stretching was her “secret weapon.”
Resistance stretching typically uses the body’s weight or force against itself during a stretch, limiting the need for equipment. A good example of this is crossing your arms in front of your face vertically and moving one arm out to the side while the other arm pushes against it. This movement is believed to release tension and create space in the shoulders. This and other exercises can also be done with a stretch band or rolled towel, allowing for better control over the stretch.
Resistance stretching can also be done with a trainer. This method can provide a much better stretch, because the participant is using both her body and the trainer’s body as a source of resistance. The participant is placed in any number of positions and stretched to stretch as the trainer pushes against the target area.
While many believe that resistance stretching sounds painful, proponents of this exercise claim the exact opposite. Those who do resistance stretching claim that while the stretches themselves are difficult, they are not painful at all, especially when compared to the stretches used in traditional exercise. Proponents of resistance stretching also report feeling looser and stronger after resistance stretching, saying it allows them to heal old injuries and prevent new ones. While the science of this exercise is up for debate, it continues to garner a tremendous following.
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