ABSTRACT
Although stretching programmes do not reduce the incidence of all cause injuries, they can reduce the incidence of musculotendinous and ligamentous injuries, especially with more powerful actions such as sprinting and changing direction (agility). As slips or falls may be too rapid to be compensated by reflexes, increased flexibility may increase the energy-absorbing capability of the musculotendinous unit. Flexibility-induced improvements with hip/pelvic orientation can positively affect spinal curves, decreasing low back pain. Similarly, stretching may decrease the discomfort of dysmenorrhoea, the recovery of an immobilized limb, or the flexibility of a contralateral homologous or heterologous muscle. Although enhanced flexibility correlates with decreased arterial stiffness and stretching can increase blood flow to the stretched muscle, individuals with cardiovascular diseases must be cautious due to stretch-induced increases in the rate pressure product.
