Answers (8)
I only see the article on New Year's Resolutions which is good, but nothing on flexibility. I think the main thing is to make sure that body is warm. I always try to start with movements similar to yoga sun salutations, tai chi and qi gong so the client is actively engaging their muscles and then help them sink deeper in the posture to increase ROM.
A good movement (especially for women with pevic floor issues) is flowing through lateral lunges to wide-legged squats to the other side in a lateral lunge and then back to center squat and up. This helps open the hips, but can also really strengthen the pelvic floor.
The main thing is to make sure the muscles are warm and movements are controlled. This can help any client see major gains in strength AND flexibility.
A good movement (especially for women with pevic floor issues) is flowing through lateral lunges to wide-legged squats to the other side in a lateral lunge and then back to center squat and up. This helps open the hips, but can also really strengthen the pelvic floor.
The main thing is to make sure the muscles are warm and movements are controlled. This can help any client see major gains in strength AND flexibility.
There is little research to show that stretching actually prevents injury. In fact, most studies show that stretching before physical activity can lead to decreased performance. This is because stretching lengthens the muscle, and a lengthened muscle is a weaker muscle. To prevent injury your clients should be doing an active warmup; mimic the movements the workout or sport will do, but do so in a less intense, gradual way. If your goal is flexibility stretching should be done once warm. A good way to sneak in stretching for those who do not like to stretch is to work the opposite muscle group. For instance, to stretch the hamstrings, work the quads. This forces the opposite muscle group to relax.
The "decrease in performance" is extremely minute and it is eradicated after he completes a few sets. Its not like you can be benching 185 one day but after you stretch it will drop to 135 pounds. Unless your client is a football player and he is extremely picky about every small decrement in weight then I would say that you should not be using static stretches before the workout. I would like to further state that the decrease in performance after static stretching is still being debated. But to answer your question static stretching is very simple.
The loss in performance can be as much as 10%..that is tremendous when it comes to performance but of little importance when fitness is the goal.
As much as 10% is difficult to ascertain especially in a study because so many factors go into how much a person can lift for that day.
If someone does not like stretching then why give "simple" stretches? Use positional isometrics ( a little research will define them). Isometrics can increase nervous system activity as well as increase ROM. Look up muscle stiffness, muscle activation techniques, facilitation, etc.
To clarify the strength loss from stretching- Muscles can weaken temporarily after static stretching (FACT), more importantly is the fact that studies are not even looking at possible side effects (weakening) of muscles in areas (joints) away from the actual muscles being stretched. For example: what if you stretch your right hamstring and a study looks at your leg curl strength after the stretch? Who cares, what if stretching your right hamstring makes your right gluteus medius go weak? How would you know? Don't be so narrow focused, your big toe is connected to the fascia on your forehead...
To clarify the strength loss from stretching- Muscles can weaken temporarily after static stretching (FACT), more importantly is the fact that studies are not even looking at possible side effects (weakening) of muscles in areas (joints) away from the actual muscles being stretched. For example: what if you stretch your right hamstring and a study looks at your leg curl strength after the stretch? Who cares, what if stretching your right hamstring makes your right gluteus medius go weak? How would you know? Don't be so narrow focused, your big toe is connected to the fascia on your forehead...
I use Bob Anderson's book "Stretching." It has stretching routines for everyday, sports and activites (running, weight training, etc.), and explains why and how to stretch. Great illustrations so it is simple to follow.
I find the biggest actual complaint is due to people over stretching. Stretching beyond mild discomfort into actual pain is incorrect technique. And then the second complaint is that they feel stretching is not productive use of their time. Which I compare to oral hygeine or house cleaning. Neither is absolutely necessary to get by, but neglecting either will eventually cost you big time. Helping people to appreciate stretching as an enjoyable and relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of life is my personal preference.