In spite of all of the evidence showing that static stretching is of little value, most people, including athletes, continue to participate in this activity. In static stretching, because you hold an end position of a particular range of motion for extended periods of time, it does little to enhance the viability of a joint or your overall health. This type of stretching is effective for increasing flexibility (often at the expense of the ligaments), but how much flexibility do you need?
Understand that every time you do static flexibility exercises, especially on a regular basis, you become more and more flexible. The reason for this increased flexibility lies not only in stretching out the connective tissue surrounding the muscle, but comes at the expense of overstretching the ligaments.
However, unlike the muscles and tendons, ligaments once overstretched, do not return to their original shape. As a result, studies show that you become more flexible, but you end up with looser and weaker joints.
But yet, it appears that sports medicine clinics, personal trainers and certification organizations and coaches are not keeping up with the latest literature or are ignoring the literature since they persist in having their charges do extended periods of static stretching. This is seen not only in general fitness classes but on high level collegiate and professional sports teams.
The excessive joint mobility that results from static stretching causes instability, making the joints more prone to injuries. Even activities such as yoga are drawing the ire of orthopedic surgeons because the activity emphasizes pushing further every time you do a posture to increase flexibility.
Stretching beyond the normal range of motion puts abnormal stress on the supporting ligaments that can result in rupture or inflammation. Our population is already mired in crazy diets and exercise plans. Let’s not allow excessive flexibility that demands extreme behavior to continue. Instead of making you healthier, it makes you sicker!
For more information on this topic, read Super Stretch and Build a Better Athlete.