Stretching isn’t always the answer when it comes to loosening up. The assumption is that feeling tight means that you need to stretch more but that’s not always the case. Something a lot of people get wrong about mobility is that it’s more than just stretching. It’s about having the right combination of range of motion and taken care of joint and muscle health. Stretching can help loosen genuinely tight tissue, but only if the muscles are warmed up. When it’s overused or misapplied, it can actually lead to instability and even increase chance of injury. Think about it like stretching a rubber band. If the rubber band is cold, it’s way less elastic and has a greater chance of snapping.
To truly improve mobility, you need to assess what’s actually going on in your body. Is a muscle tight, or is it underactive? Tight muscles might benefit from stretching and releases, but underactive muscles need strengthening and activation. Stretching lengthens the muscles and underactive muscles that keep getting stretched are weaker and can’t handle the elasticity as much as normally activated and used muscles. For example, constantly stretching your hamstrings when they feel tight might not fix the problem if the root issue is weak glutes or core instability. Without understanding what areas need release versus activation, you could be making the issue a lot worse.
Mobility training calls for balance and intention. Athletes who train hard and care about long term performance and health need to develop body awareness and invest in recovery just as much as they do into their training. Knowing when to stretch and when to strengthen can be the difference between feeling stiff all the time and moving powerfully and pain free. It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing what your body actually needs.
#unleashthepotential
Written by:
Dan Aquino
BS, ASFA-CPT
Take action… Now!
Voorhees Flyers Training center.
The Hollydell ice arena, in the main building.
