There are two main types of PNF stretching. Here’s how to do them.
Articles on Stretching
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Unlike mat pilates, which only uses your body weight, the reformer adds resistance, so you can change the difficulty according to your level of fitness. But there are also cheaper options.
Do you really need to stretch before and after exercise? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Flexibility is crucial for keeping your body in top shape.
Yoga’s surge in popularity in the past decade has spurred more research into its effects. The combination of physical movement and mindfulness provides a wide range of health benefits.
Researchers are still trying to figure out exactly what happens within muscle to create knots, also known as myofascial trigger points. But they do know some ways you can avoid or alleviate them.
Exercise that targets balance and strength is the most effective for reducing the risk of falls.
Some people with back pain see immediate benefits from stretching.
Static stretching — stretching and holding muscles — was once an essential part of sports warm-ups, until studies suggested it reduced performance. New research shows it should be making a comeback.
The truth about the pros and cons of stretching.
It probably sounds bad or uncomfortable to you. But stiffness is part of what gives elite athletes the spring in their muscles.
Who hasn’t been told to stretch before and after exercise to prevent injury and improve performance? There may be no scientific evidence to back that up, although stretching has other benefits.
What’s the connection between kids making paper snowflakes and wearable devices that stretch and bend with your body? Engineers who find design inspirations from many sources.
Gyms have gone mad for these bits of neoprene. Yet researchers are still scrambling to catch up.
It’s not just elite sportspeople who get muscle cramps. If you’ve ever experienced one, you’ll know how painful they are. But why do we get them, and is there anything to be done?
Many people stretch when they exercise or play sport. Others don’t stretch but feel they should. And some people don’t see any reason to stretch at all.
Top contributors
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Lecturer in Exercise Science, Adelaide University
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Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Adelaide University
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Lecturer in Sport, Health & exercise Science, University of Stirling
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Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University at Buffalo
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Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, University of Dayton
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Senior Principal Research Scientist, Neuroscience Research Australia
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Professor of Biomechanics, Edith Cowan University
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Professeur adjoint, physiothérapie, Université Laval
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Associate Professor of Public Health, UMass Lowell
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Professor of Physical Activity and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney
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Professor in Neuromuscular Physiology and Head of Sport Sciences, Nottingham Trent University
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Assistant Dean, Western Centre for Health Research and Education, Victoria University
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Assistant Professor of Exercise Physiology, Mississippi State University
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Professor of Biomechanics, University of Northampton
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Senior lecturer, Queensland University of Technology