General
Learn the basics of how to maintain flexibility. See the links and terms below.
Links
- National Institute on Aging (2004). Stretching Exercises. www.niapublications.org
- Presidents Council on Physical Fitness (2000). Current Issues in Flexibility. Research Digest, 3, 10.
- Berkley Wellness Letter.com (2004). The Home Stretch.
- ACSM (1999). The Recommended Quantity and Quality of Exercise for Developing and Maintaining Cardiorespiratory and Muscular Fitness, and Flexibility in Healthy Adults. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 6, 916-920.
- Presidents Council on Physical Fitness (2004). Guidelines for Personal Exercise Program. www.fitness.gov
Terms
- Flexibility: The intrinsic property of body tissues which determines the range of motion achievable without injury at a joint or group of joints. Holt. J, Holt, L. & Pelham, T. (1996). Flexibility redefined. Biomechanics in Sports, XIII, 170-174.
- Ballistic Stretching : Fast, momentum-assisted movements
used to stretch. Most frequently includes a bouncing motion. This is
a dangerous method of stretching and can cause injury to the muscle
tissue.
- PNF Stretching : Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation. A method of stretching which employs isometric agonist contraction/relaxation where the stretched muscles are contracted isometrically and then relaxed.