In column 33, Mr. Kurz writes:
"In ballistic stretches (bobbing, bouncing, or jerky movements), you use the momentum of a fast-moving body or a limb to forcibly and abruptly increase the range of motion. "
Can someone highlight the difference between this and doing dynamic stretching via kicks? It seems to me that throwing your leg up in the air is an example of using the momentum of a fast-moving body or a limb to forcibly and abruptly increase the range of motion. Ideas?
Bobbing vs kicking
jc, dynamic stretches should not be done by "throwing" your leg into the air. You should be "lifting" the leg. That means you have control over your leg at all times. Note, that doesn't mean that you lift the leg slowly (in fact I believe Kurz stretching book specifically says that these must be done at normal speed).
Ballistic stretching means that you do NOT have control over your limb or body at all times. That's the difference between the two. An example of ballistic stretching would be when people do the "hurdler stretch" and bounce their upper body up and down in an attempt to get their chest closer to their thighs.
Stretching is not a matter of trying to "trick" your muscles into being forceably extended by surprising them ("Ha ha! Got you!"). You want to "teach" your nervous system to allow the extra range of motion.
-Mark
Ballistic stretching means that you do NOT have control over your limb or body at all times. That's the difference between the two. An example of ballistic stretching would be when people do the "hurdler stretch" and bounce their upper body up and down in an attempt to get their chest closer to their thighs.
Stretching is not a matter of trying to "trick" your muscles into being forceably extended by surprising them ("Ha ha! Got you!"). You want to "teach" your nervous system to allow the extra range of motion.
-Mark