User:Lutherb~enwiki/Resistance stretching

Resistance stretching is a form of stretching in which a muscle simultaneously contracts and elongates through a movement from a shortened position into a lengthened position. The technique was discovered by Bob Cooley roughly 30 years ago following a serious automobile accident involving a drunk driver. In his journey of rehabilitation and healing, Cooley transformed this unfortunate mishap into a series of additional discoveries related to his newfound awareness of the resistance stretching concept, soon learning that stretching specific muscles resulted in concomitant relationships with Traditional Chinese Medicine and Genetic Personality Types. What began as a simple concept, gradually grew into a multi-disciplined database originally known as The Meridian Flexibility System. The use of this title has slowly waned throughout the years and is now mostly referred to as "Resistance Flexibility," "Resistance Stretching," or "Resistance Flexibility and Strength Training (RFST)."

Cooley established his home-base in Boston, MA, developing The Genius of Flexibility Center - Boston to be the central hub for RFST where the most up to date skills and cutting edge research is practiced by qualified practitioners trained directly by and continually associated with Bob Cooley. To learn more about Cooley's center, visit www.TheGeniusofFlexibility.com

Principles of resistance flexibility and strength training

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.

To resistance strength train a muscle:

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

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

3. Repeat

What occurs throughout the movement?

• Unlike traditional stretching methods, the stretching effect occurs during the entire movement.
• By continuously contracting a muscle through a given range, the muscle is protected from being brought into a range beyond its capability. Without resistance, stretching a muscle will result in substitution, over-stretching, and potential injury - not to mention a misunderstanding of true range of motion.

• Repetitions are necessary for gains in flexibility

How to measure body flexibility?

• The sit and reach is the most common test in sports to measure body flexibility. Flexibility level evaluation is defined by flexibility score. It is expected that with appropriate training between each test the analysis would indicate a FlexiScore improvement.

Methods of resistance stretching

Cooley has discovered both self and assisted stretches that can be catered to a wide variety of individuals, including those severely injured, the general public, and elite athletes/performers.

Resistance self-stretches are performed by the individual using their own resistance against his/her own body, the ground, a wall, or other props.

Assisted stretches are performed by at least one other stretcher. While being assisted, the individual contracts the targeted muscle while the assister(s) finds the greatest path of resistance and move the limb in the opposite direction, thus removing any fascia or scar tissue limiting flexibility. Finding the greatest path of resistance is called the "force vector approach" and is the key part of flexibility gains with RFST. Basic assisted stretches can be performed by novices but more advanced stretching is advised to be performed under the supervision of (or by) a qualified practitioner for best results. The safest way to find a qualified practitioners is directly through Cooley's main center in Boston, MA, The Genius of Flexibility Center (www.TheGeniusofFlexibility.com)

External links

• The Genius of Flexibility Main center for Resistance Stretching (RFST) with Bob Cooley

• Meridian Flexibility Center Founder Bob Cooley