Resistance Stretching

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Resistance Stretching, also known as Meridian Stretching, is a form of stretching in which a muscle simultaneously contracts and elongates. The technique is a part of the Meridian Flexibility System, founded by Bob Cooley.

Note: Resistance Stretching®, Resistance Flexibility and Strength Training®, and The Meridian Stretching System® are trademarks of The Meridian Stretching Center. Permission was granted by Bob Cooley to create this article on 06/07/2006. Contact bob@meridianstretching.com or visit www.meridianstretching.com for more information.

Contents 1 Principles of Resistance Flexibility and Strength Training 2 Methods of Resistance Stretching 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Principles of Resistance Flexibility and Strength Training

Resistance Flexibility Training provides the balancing movement for Resistance Strength Training.

To Resistance Strength Train a muscle:

1. Place the muscle in a position where it as long as possible.

2. Shorten and contract the muscle simultaneously until the muscle is as short as possible.

3. Repeat

To Resistance Stretch a muscle:

1. Place the muscle in a position where it is as short as possible.

2. Elongate and contract the muscle simultaneously until the muscle is as long as possible while still contracting.

3. Repeat.

Resistance Stretching stresses that:

• Most of the stretch occurs during the movement of the muscle, and not at the end point of the stretch.
• A muscle must contract while elongating for a true stretch. Stretching a muscle without contracting produces a false range of motion known as substitution, and ultimately results in over-stretching and injury.
• Repetitions are necessary for gains in flexibility, just as repetitions are necessary for gains in strength during strength training.

[edit] Methods of Resistance Stretching

There are numerous stretches for the 8 major muscle groups of the upper body and 8 major muscle groups of the lower body. The Meridian Flexibility System provides stretches for the anterior, anterior medial, medial, posterior medial, posterior, posterior lateral, lateral, and anterior lateral muscle groups of the arms and legs. Resistance Flexibility and Strength Training can be performed alone using self-stretches or with another person using partner assisted stretching.

Self Resistance Stretches are performed by the strecher resisting against their own body, the ground, a wall, or other props.

Assisted Resistance Flexibility and Strength Training is performed with two or more people. The stretcher resists the movement of the assister(s) while the assister(s) flex/extend, adduct/abduct, and inward/outward rotate the target muscle group. Assisted Stretching provides maximal gains in flexibility because it takes twice the force to stretch a muscle as it does to strengthen it.

[edit] See also

• Stretching
• PNF stretching
• Passive stretching
• Active stretching
• Static stretching
• Dynamic stretching
• Ballistic stretching

[edit] External links

• Meridian Flexibility Center