Thread: Stretching as each Set progresses

I've heard that to much stretching can be dangerous, makes it more easy for the muscle to tear or something to that extent.

I still think its important to stretch but I'd stretch at the end of my workout just to be safe.

I'm sure other's that know more about it can give some input here to.

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Just another day in the gutter

Stretching is good after each set because it keeps the muscle from tightening up while between sets. There is such a thing as stretch weakness where if you hold a stretch too long, the ligaments, tendance, etc. start to weaken.

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True happiness lies within the heart

Some studies have shown that holding a stretch as short as 30 seconds can lead to a weakning(sp) of a muscle.
Of course this isn't written in stone but it is something to think
about.

As far as stretching inbetween if you are going to then try stretching the antagonistic muscle or opposite muscle that is being worked. For ex: stretch the the back if your gonna bench.

Originally posted by Maki Riddington
As far as stretching inbetween if you are going to then try stretching the antagonistic muscle or opposite muscle that is being worked. For ex: stretch the the back if your gonna bench.

Maki, just curious as to why you would want to do this? what are the benefits?

Thanks

Originally posted by HickeyNC



Maki, just curious as to why you would want to do this? what are the benefits?

*** The reason I stated this is because what is otherwise known as "reciprocal inhibition" is what is happening whenever a prime mover (agonist) is strongly activated.

Reciprocal inhibition is when the the anatogonistic muscle relaxes as the agonistic muscle is activated.
A example of this would be when you do a bicep curl.
The bicep would be the agonistic muscle and the tricep would be the antagonistic muscle.

Now if you have a tight antagonistic muscle and you are performing movements that are varied in speed you can be headed towards an injury.
Stretching the antagonistic muscle will help lengthen the filaments so that they are lengthened enough so that the agonistic muscle can fire more efficiently.
A relaxed antagonistic muscle will contract a lot more efficiently than a tight one which will decrease the chances of injury as the antagonistic muscles is responsible in some cases to protect the joint by slowing down the agonistic muscle.

Make sense?

Maki,
You had me till about half way in. The you stated that you should astrech the muscle that you are working. I guess what i am trying to understand is exactly how streching the opposite muscle (i dont want to use the technical terms you used for fear of mixing them up) can benefit the muscle you are working. You stated that the opposite muscle is relaxing when you are working the main muscle. So how could it help or hurt you? I hope this is clear.


Thanks,

Originally posted by HickeyNC
Maki,
You had me till about half way in. The you stated that you should astrech the muscle that you are working. I guess what i am trying to understand is exactly how streching the opposite muscle (i dont want to use the technical terms you used for fear of mixing them up) can benefit the muscle you are working. You stated that the opposite muscle is relaxing when you are working the main muscle. So how could it help or hurt you? I hope this is clear.


Thanks,

*** My bad, I said agonistic instead of antagonistic.
I edited it.
So it should make sense now.
If not please let me know.