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Version: 1.18, Last Modified 94/10/12
Copyright (C) 1993, 1994 by Bradford D. Appleton

Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies
of this document provided the copyright notice and this
permission notice are preserved on all copies.

This document is available in ascii, texinfo, postscript, dvi, and
php formats via anonymous ftp from the host `cs.huji.ac.il'.
Look under the directory `/pub/doc/faq/rec/martial.arts'.
The file name matches the wildcard pattern `stretching.*'.
The file suffix indicates the format. For WWW users, the URL is:
http://www.cs.huji.ac.il/papers/rma/stretching_toc.php.

• Introduction
• Physiology of Stretching
• Flexibility
• Types of Stretching
• How to Stretch
• References on Stretching
• Working Toward the Splits
• Normal Ranges of Joint Motion
• Index

Introduction

• Physiology of Stretching: (next chapter)
  

This document is a modest attempt to compile a wealth of information
in order to answer some frequently asked questions about stretching
and flexibility. It is organized into chapters covering the following
topics:

1. Physiology of Stretching
   
2. Flexibility
   
3. Types of Stretching
   
4. How to Stretch
   

Although each chapter may refer to sections in other chapters, it is not
required that you read every chapter in the order presented. It is
important, however, that you read the disclaimer before reading any
other sections of this document. See section Disclaimer. If you wish to
skip around, numerous cross references are supplied in each section to
help you find the concepts you may have missed. There is also an index
at the end of this document.

• Disclaimer
• Acknowledgements
• About the Author

Disclaimer

• Acknowledgements: (next section)
  
• Introduction: (beginning of chapter)
  

Although every effort has been made to ensure that all information
presented in this document is accurate, errors may still be present.
If you notice any errors, please send corrections via e-mail to
`Brad.Appleton@mail.csd.harris.com'.

The author makes no warranty of any kind in regard to the content of this
document, including, but not limited to, any implied warranties of
merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The author of
this document shall not be liable for errors contained in it, or for
incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing of,
use of, or reliance upon information contained in this document.

In other words: "I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV!" I can not be
held liable for any damages or injuries that you might suffer from somehow
relying upon information in this document, no matter how awful. Not even
if the information in question is incorrect or inaccurate.

Acknowledgements

• About the Author: (next section)
  
• Disclaimer: (previous section)
  
• Introduction: (beginning of chapter)
  

Thanks to all the readers of the `rec.martial-arts',
`rec.arts.dance' and `misc.fitness' newsgroups on Usenet who
responded to my request for questions (and answers) on stretching. Many
parts of this document come directly from these respondents. Thanks in
particular to Shawne Neeper for sharing her formidable knowledge of
muscle anatomy and physiology.

Other portions of this document have been taken from the following
books:

Sport Stretch, by Michael J. Alter  
 	(referred to as M. Alter in the rest of this document)  
        
 Stretching Scientifically, by Tom Kurz  
 	(referred to as Kurz in the rest of this document)         
  
 SynerStretch For Total Body Flexibility, from Health For Life  
 	(referred to as SynerStretch in the rest of this document)         
  
 The Health For Life Training Advisor, also from Health For Life  
 	(referred to as HFLTA in the rest of this document)         
  
 Mobility Training for the Martial Arts, by Tony Gummerson  
 	(referred to as Gummerson in the rest of this document)

Further information on these books and others, is available near
the end of this document. See section References on Stretching.

About the Author

• Acknowledgements: (previous section)
  
• Introduction: (beginning of chapter)
  

I am not an expert in anatomy or physiology! I do have over
5 years of martial arts training, and over 20 years of dance training
in classical ballet, modern, and jazz. However, my primary
"qualifications" to write this document are that I took considerable
time and effort to read several books on the topic, and to combine
the information that I read with the information supplied to me
from many knowledgeable readers of Usenet news. I have tried to
write this document for all audiences and not make it specific to
any particular sport or art (such as dancing or martial arts). I
have also tried to leave out any of my own personal opinions or
feelings and just state the facts as related to me by the real experts.

I am always interested in hearing about any new information which
would be appropriate to add to this document. If you have any such
information about a stretching technique, a book, or anything else
you can think of, please feel free to contact me. All I ask is that
you be prepared to provide me with at least one reputable and
reliable source for your information.

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