Stretching

Three ballet dancers stretching to a grand jeté jump, Vienna

Cat at full stretch

Stretching is a kind of physical fitness exercise in which a muscle (or muscle group) is stretched on purpose to its fullest length in order to help the muscle's elasticity and its tone. This helps a person have better control of his or her muscles and be more flexible.

Stretching, in its most basic form, is a natural and instinctive activity; it is done by many animals including humans. It may be done while yawning. Stretching often is done instinctively after waking from sleep, after long periods of being inactive, or after leaving small spaces and areas.

Many athletes and dancers stretch deliberately before or after exercise in order to enhance performance and reduce injury.

There are three basic types of stretching: ballistic, dynamic, and static stretching.

Stretching Media

• 

  A stretching Siberian tiger

• 

  A roller derby athlete stretching

• 

  Football player Luis Suárez stretching prior to a match.

• 

  Martin Brodeur stretching on the Devils' bench during warmups.

• 

  Assisted stretching may be performed when the athlete is unable to stretch optimally independently. For example, during cramping of the hamstrings, assistance in stretching out the muscles may help.

• 

  Hockey player stretching groin

Related pages

Main page: Physical fitness

• Flexibility training
• Healthy lifestyle
• Rhythmic gymnastics

References

• LaRoche, Dain, and Declan A. J. Connolly. "Effects of Stretching on Passive Muscle Tension and Response to Eccentric Exercise." American Journal of Sports Medicine 34.6(2006): 1000-1007.

Further reading

• Shrier, Ian. "When and Whom to Stretch?" Physician & Sportsmedicine 33.3(2005): 22–26.