Rookie Question - Bouncing while Stretching - Why not?

In article said:

Just curious as to why you should not bounce while stretching. It seems kind of natural to do
so to me.

--
Les Stewart Beaumont, TX

Les,

There's a stretch reflex that takes place when the muscle is jerked or pulled too hard and
too quickly.

If someone handed you a pillow and you thinking it was a pillow and light while it was really a 40
pound slab of concrete wrapped to look like a pillow, you would experience a stretch reflex in order
to protect the muscle and the tendon.

When bouncing, you may be continually triggering the reflex and shortening rather than elongating
the muscle you so desire.

In health and on the run, Ozzie Gontang Maintainer - rec.running FAQ Director, San Diego Marathon
Clinic, est. 1975

Mindful Running: mindfulness.commr.aspOpen ↗ faqs.orgrunning faqOpen ↗

Les Stewart said:

Just curious as to why you should not bounce while stretching. It seems kind of natural to do
so to me.

It tears muscle fibers instead of stretching them. And hold all stretches for a mimimum of 40
seconds, but a minute is better.

In article <[email hidden]>, yes, it's me

Quoted message said:

Les Stewart said:

Just curious as to why you should not bounce while stretching. It seems kind of natural to do
so to me.

It tears muscle fibers instead of stretching them. And hold all stretches for a mimimum of 40
seconds, but a minute is better.

some other thoughts:

Subject: Re: Active Isolated stretching works when done properly Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2000 17:33:02 GMT

Quoted message said:

"Finally, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises permit further lengthening of
an agonist muscle beyond its normal maximal length by stimulating isometric tension in its
antagonist counterpart. By appropriate inhibitory interneuronal connections involving both agonist
and antagonist muscles via the spinal cord, increased relaxation of tone will occur in the agonist.
These PNF exercises can be done either alone or with a partner's assitance (Hatfield 1982)."

Doesn't this sound similar, if not the same, to Active-Isolated Stretching? And the source cited
from this in the Martin and Coe book is from Hatfield 1982.

It uses some of the same physiological principles (reciprocal inhibition, mainly) but the
application, as Ozzie notes, is different. As one who learned PNF stretching and AI stretching
(during my sports massage training) at about the same time, I saw the connection right away.

It's really quite remarkable, all the ways the body works.

Best regards,

--
Brian P. Baresch Lawrence, Kansas, USA Professional editing and proofreading

Another post:

From: [email hidden] (Alex Accetta) Newsgroups: rec.running Subject: Stretching (Active
Isolated) Date: 18 Dec 1995 10:31:03 -0800 Organization: Willamette University, Salem, OR, USA
Lines: 47 Message-ID: <[email hidden]> NNTP-Posting-Host: gemini.willamette.edu

In article said:

(John Shoemaker) said:

Quoted message said:

I'm looking for (good) books about stretching. Specifically, I'm interested in books that give
variuos stretches and clearly explains how they are done. Suggestions or comments about books
welcome.

Quoted message said:

There's a terrific book called "Stretching" by Bob Anderson. You should be able to pick it up at
most book stores. It's an 8 1/2" x 11" x 1/2" paperback. Costs about $10. Gives you stretches for
most sports as well as stretches for morning, at work, etc. I think you'll find it useful.

Bob Anderson's book on stretching is considered the Old Testament of stretching. It is definitely a
great source and full of information...BUT, there is a new kid in town, the savior as it were, and
it is called ACTIVE ISOLATED STRETCHING. It has been a main story in Runner's World, in Running
Times, Women's Sports and Fitness, the New York Times, and even Elle.

It is more commonly referred to as ROPE stretching -- the theory is something like this -- old,
static stretching only went so far in stretching the muscle fibers because of the static motion. In
AIS stretching there is a lengthening stage, a brief moment of tension and then a release. A rope is
used to create leverage (much like someone actually stretching you), which contributes to the force
you can apply on your stretch. This method allows more blood to pour into the area, creating even
more flexibility for the next stretch. It is an excellent techinique, using it correctly I have not
been injured in two years. I have also found that if I stretched five times a week, I did not need
to stretch at other times. It works.

This form of stretching is being used by, among other people I have seen and known, The Reebok
Enclave (Terrance Mahan and Brian Clas, 3rd and 8th at XC nationals respectively; the team was
second), John Trautmann, Tom Nohilly (World Championship Team member), Keith Brantly (King of the
Roads and damn good everyplace else), Meredith Rainey, and the list goes on and on. Go to a national
level meet and you will not miss the ROPES. If you need more specific direction, I can help you,
just drop me an email.

[email hidden]

peace, alex

"...LIVING ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS, PHYSICALLY ACTIVE, AND DEEPLY ALIVE."