Stretching Intervention

Question 1

Stretching Definition

Answer 1

Increases soft tissue mobility
Improves ROM by lengthening structures that have been adaptively shortened and become hypomobile over time

Question 2

Stretching indications

Answer 2

Increases flexibility and ROM
May promote injury prevention
May promote enhanced performance
Serial casting for contractures

Question 3

Stretching contraindications

Answer 3

Bony block
Non-union fracture
Acute inflammation or infection
Sharp or acute pain with elongation
Hematoma or tissue trauma
Hypermobility
When hypomobility provides: stability and Neuro-muscular control

Question 4

Stretching parameters

Answer 4

1. Short (<30 secs) and inconsistent bouts of stretching are ineffectual in changing performance and tissue length over time
2. Tissue length changes come from regular >30 second bouts of load (passive/active)
3. In tissue affected by chronic contracture, serial casting is recommended and has good outcomes
4. Contract relax > SS and isometric contraction to promote tendon stiffness changes