1. Warm-Up and Stretching
chapter 14
Warm-Up and Flexibility Training
Ian Jeffreys, PhD

2. Chapter Objectives
Identify the benefits and components of a preexercise warm-up
Structure effective warm-ups
Identify factors that affect flexibility
Use flexibility exercises that take advantage of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
Select and apply appropriate static and dynamic stretching methods

3. Warm-Up Positive effects on performance
Faster muscle contraction and relaxation of both agonist and antagonist muscles
Improvements in the rate of force development and reaction time
Improvements in muscle strength and power
Lowered viscous resistance in muscles
(continued)

4. Warm-Up (continued) Positive effects on performance
Increased blood flow to active muscles
Enhanced metabolic reactions
An increased psychological preparedness for performance

5. Key Point
The structure of the warm-up influences potential improvements; as such, the warm-up needs to be specific to the activity to be performed.

6. Warm-Up
Should consist of a period of aerobic exercise, followed by stretching, and ending with a period of activity similar to the upcoming activity
(continued)

7. Warm-Up (continued) Components
A general warm-up period may consist of 5 to 10 minutes of slow activity such as jogging or skipping.
A specific warm-up period incorporates movements similar to the movements of the athlete’s sport.
The whole warm-up typically lasts between 10 and 20 minutes.

8. Key Point
The warm-up is an integral part of the training session. Strength and conditioning professionals should plan warm-ups incorporating short-, medium-, and long-term considerations that will contribute to the overall development of the athlete.

9. Warm-Up RAMP protocol:
Raise: Elevate body temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, blood flow, and joint fluid viscosity via low-intensity activities that simulate the movement patterns of the upcoming activity.
Activate and Mobilize: Actively move through a range of motion.
Potentiate: Perform sport-specific activities that progress in intensity until the athlete is performing at the intensity required for the subsequent competition or training session.

10. Flexibility
Flexibility is a measure of range of motion (ROM) and has static and dynamic components.
Static flexibility is the range of possible movement about a joint and its surrounding muscles during a passive movement.
Dynamic flexibility is the available ROM during active movements; it requires voluntary muscular actions.
(continued)

11. Flexibility (continued)
Factors affecting flexibility
Joint structure
Structure determines the joint’s range of motion.
Age and sex
Older people tend to be less flexible than younger people; females tend to be more flexible than males.
Muscle and connective tissue
Elasticity and plasticity of connective tissues affect ROM.
(continued)

12. Flexibility (continued)
Factors affecting flexibility
Stretch tolerance
The ability of an athlete to tolerate the discomfort of stretching.
Neural control
Range of motion is controlled by the central and peripheral nervous system, including both afferent and efferent mechanisms.
(continued)

13. Flexibility (continued)
Factors affecting flexibility
Resistance training
Exercise through a full ROM and develop both agonist and antagonist muscles to prevent loss of ROM.
Muscle bulk
Large muscles may impede joint movement.
Activity level
An active person tends to be more flexible than an inactive one, but activity alone will not improve flexibility.
(continued)

14. Flexibility (continued)
Frequency, duration, and intensity of stretching
Acute effects of stretching on ROM are transient.
For longer-lasting effects, a stretching program is required.
Two sessions per week for a minimum of 5 weeks.
Stretches should be held at a position of mild discomfort for 15 to 30 seconds.
(continued)

15. Flexibility (continued)
When should an athlete stretch?
Following practice and competition
Postpractice stretching facilitates ROM improvements because of increased muscle temperature.
Stretching should be performed within 5 to 10 minutes after practice.
Postpractice stretching may also decrease muscle soreness, although the evidence on this is ambiguous.
(continued)

16. Flexibility (continued)
When should an athlete stretch?
As a separate session
If increased levels of flexibility are required, additional stretching sessions may be needed.
In this case, stretching should be preceded by a thorough warm-up to allow for the increase in muscle temperature necessary for effective stretching.
This type of session can be especially useful as a recovery session on the day after a competition.
(continued)

17. Flexibility (continued)
Proprioceptors and stretching
Stretch reflex
A stretch reflex occurs when muscle spindles are stimulated during a rapid stretching movement.
This should be avoided during stretching, as it will limit motion.
Caused by stimulation of muscle spindles.
(continued)

18. Flexibility (continued)
Proprioceptors and stretching
Autogenic inhibition and reciprocal inhibition
Autogenic inhibition is accomplished via active contraction before a passive stretch of the same muscle.
Reciprocal inhibition is accomplished by contracting the muscle opposing the muscle that is being passively stretched.
Both result from stimulation of Golgi tendon organs, which cause reflexive muscle relaxation.

19. Types of Stretching Static stretch Ballistic stretch Dynamic stretch
Slow and constant, with the end position held for 15 to 30 seconds
Ballistic stretch
Typically involves active muscular effort and uses a bouncing-type movement in which the end position is not held
Dynamic stretch
A type of functionally based stretching exercise that uses sport-specific movements to prepare the body for activity
(continued)

20. Types of Stretching (continued)
Static stretch
Get into a position that facilitates relaxation.
Move to the point in the ROM where you experience a sensation of mild discomfort. If performing partner-assisted PNF stretching, communicate clearly with your partner.
Hold stretches for 15 to 30 seconds.
Repeat unilateral stretches on both sides.
(continued)

21. Types of Stretching (continued)
Dynamic stretch
Carry out 5 to 10 repetitions for each movement, either in place or over a given distance.
Progressively increase the ROM on each repetition.
Increase the speed of motion on subsequent sets where appropriate.
Actively control muscular actions as you move through the ROM.
(continued)

22. Types of Stretching (continued)
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretch
Hold-relax
Passive prestretch (10 seconds)
Isometric hold (6 seconds)
Passive stretch (30 seconds)

23. Positions for PNF Hamstring Stretch
Figure 14.1 (next slide)
Starting position for PNF hamstring stretch

24. Figure 14.1

25. Positions for PNF Hamstring Stretch
Figure 14.2 (next slide)
Partner and subject leg and hand positions for PNF hamstring stretch

26. Figure 14.2

27. Hold-Relax Figure 14.3 (next slide)
Passive prestretch of hamstrings during hold–relax PNF hamstring stretch

28. Figure 14.3

29. Hold-Relax Figure 14.4 (next slide)
Isometric action during hold–relax PNF hamstring stretch

30. Figure 14.4

31. Hold-Relax Figure 14.5 (next slide)
Increased ROM during passive stretch of hold–relax PNF hamstring stretch

32. Figure 14.5

33. Types of Stretching
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretch
Contract-relax
Passive prestretch (10 seconds)
Concentric muscle action through full ROM
Passive stretch (30 seconds)

34. Contract-Relax Figure 14.6 (next slide)
Passive prestretch of hamstrings during contract–relax PNF stretch

35. Figure 14.6

36. Contract-Relax Figure 14.7 (next slide)
Concentric action of hip extensors during contract–relax PNF stretch

37. Figure 14.7

38. Contract-Relax Figure 14.8 (next slide)
Increased ROM during passive stretch of contract–relax PNF stretch

39. Figure 14.8

40. Types of Stretching
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretch
Hold-relax with agonist contraction
During third phase (passive stretch), concentric action of the agonist is used to increase the stretch force.

41. Hold-Relax With Agonist Contraction
Figure 14.9 (next slide)
Passive prestretch during hold-relax with agonist contraction PNF hamstring stretch

42. Figure 14.9

43. Hold-Relax With Agonist Contraction
Figure (next slide)
Isometric action of hamstrings during hold-relax with agonist contraction PNF hamstring stretch

44. Figure 14.10

45. Hold-Relax With Agonist Contraction
Figure (next slide)
Concentric contraction of quadriceps during hold-relax with agonist contraction PNF hamstring stretch, creating increased ROM during passive stretch

46. Figure 14.11

47. Key Point
The hold-relax with agonist contraction is the most effective PNF stretching technique due to facilitation via both reciprocal and autogenic inhibition.

48. Types of Stretching
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretch
Common PNF stretches with a partner
Calves and ankles
Chest
Groin
Hamstrings and hip extensors
Quadriceps and hip flexors
Shoulders

49. Partner PNF Stretching
Figure (next slide)
Partner PNF stretching for the calves

50. Figure 14.12

51. Partner PNF Stretching
Figure (next slide)
Partner PNF stretching for the chest

52. Figure 14.13

53. Partner PNF Stretching
Figure (next slide)
Partner PNF stretching for the groin

54. Figure 14.14

55. Partner PNF Stretching
Figure (next slide)
Partner PNF stretching for the quadriceps and hip flexors

56. Figure 14.15

57. Partner PNF Stretching
Figure (next slide)
Partner PNF stretching for the shoulders

58. Figure 14.16