3.1 - Ballistic Stretching
Description
This article is from the Stretching FAQ, by Brad Appleton Brad_Appleton@ivhs.mot.com with numerous contributions by others.
3.1 - Ballistic Stretching
Ballistic stretching uses the momentum of a moving body or a limb in an
attempt to force it beyond its normal range of motion. This is stretching,
or "warming up", by bouncing into (or out of) a stretched position, using
the stretched muscles as a spring which pulls you out of the stretched
position. (e.g. bouncing down repeatedly to touch your toes.) This type
of stretching is not considered useful and can lead to injury. It does not
allow your muscles to adjust to, and relax in, the stretched position. It
may instead cause them to tighten up by repeatedly activating the stretch
reflex (See "1.6.2 - The Stretch Reflex").
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