Why is ballistic stretching no longer recommended for preparing the body for exercise?

Question

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5 points
It is still recommended and it is okay to stretch this way.
Ballistic stretching involves bouncing the body while stretching a muscle group past its current flexibility. For example, instead of reaching slowly and gradually extending your body towards your toes in a straddle stretch, you would bounce 4-5 times towards your toes. This can result in strained or torn muscles or ligaments.

Answer 1

Ballistic stretching is no longer recommended for preparing the body for exercise primarily because it involves bouncing movements that can cause muscles to stretch suddenly and forcefully beyond their normal range of motion. This rapid movement can lead to:

1. Injury Risk: The bouncing motions can increase the likelihood of muscle strains or tears, as the muscles are not given enough time to adapt to the stretch.

2. Muscle Reflexes: Ballistic stretching can trigger the stretch reflex, which causes the muscles to contract instead of relax. This reaction can further increase the risk of injury and reduce the effectiveness of the stretch.

3. Lack of Control: The jerky nature of ballistic stretching makes it difficult to maintain control over the stretch, leading to potential overstretching.

4. Alternatives Available: There are safer and more effective stretching techniques, such as static and dynamic stretching, which can effectively increase flexibility and prepare the muscles for exercise without the associated risks of ballistic stretching.

Overall, these reasons contribute to the shift away from ballistic stretching in favor of more controlled and safer stretching techniques.