Three Misconceptions About Stretching and Flexibility

13Jun09
Thomas Kurz shows flexibility and strength

Thomas Kurz shows flexibility and strength

In its July 2009 issue, the Black Belt magazine published my article on stretching. The article got a sloppy edit. If you have read it (say, in the course of researching the m.a. market), you probably wondered why would I have written such a disorganized piece. I would not.

Here is the real deal: 

In this article I will dispel three common misconceptions about flexibility training:

  • That most people can’t do splits because their hips are too tight (Not!)
  •  That static stretches, such as attempts at doing splits, should be done during a warm-up to increase range of motion and prevent injuries (Not!)
  • That it takes a long time to achieve great flexibility (Not!)

Read more at www.stadion.com/flexibility-training-for-sports-and-martial-arts/.

Request for help:

One of our authors and my friend, Piotr Drabik, has disappeared in September of 2006 after he landed on the island of Kaua’i, Hawaii, where he was seen on airport security cameras. He arrived there from Edmonton, Alberta (Canada), through Salt Lake City, Utah, and Honolulu, Hawaii. We (his friends at Stadion Publishing) were assisting in the investigation of his disappearance. The investigation was ineffective and eventually the case was dropped by all involved authorities.

If you have seen him on or after September of 2006, or know anything about his whereabouts, please e-mail us at infoATstadionDOTcom.

More about Piotr Drabik and his disappearance is at www.stadion.com/author_drabikp.html



One Response to “Three Misconceptions About Stretching and Flexibility”

  1. 1 Michael Frazier

    You’re right, the article was poorly written. I am 53 y/o male 6′ tall @ 215. I have been studying Sanshinkai Karate for 5 years and plan to test for Black Belt this December. I also have a Master’s Degree in nursing so I know a little bit about anatomy and how to write a thesis. I do not do a wheel kick (simular to roundhouse) well. I’ve got short legs and a long torso. I showed my instructor your article and what we got was to move the legs out toe in-toe out to maximum stretch and tilt the pelvis forward. I also run for conditioning and attended a sports medicine seminar at Womack Army Medical Center, FT Bragg. The speaker discussed proper stretching is best after warmup and not to stretch before a running event. He says to stretch after running.


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