This is the last article in the series, where we do another "myth flip" and go back the other way. To see the video version. check out our instagram page: https://instagram.com/p/DRVTQoykhAG/ With all the talk about stretching, you might wonder if it’s really worth your time. The answer isn’t so clear-cut. While stretching might not be a cure-all, it remains crucial for many movements and can be particularly beneficial if you have specific mobility limitations impacting pain

To see the video version, check out our instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP4yen4kxGb/?igsh=MTU2amY2eWd0cTM5dQ== While there is certainly nothing wrong with attempting to increase our flexibility, It may not be the most appropriate use of someone's exercise- related time for every person at all times. If we increase our range of motion or naturally have large range of motion but don't have the necessary  coordination or strength to control us through this range w

(To view the video version, head over to our instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPKsJcBEv93/?igsh=NHF4Zng3N210dHN4 So when we stretch we are able to move a joint further so that must mean we're making the muscle longer. With all the research that has been conducted in relation to mechanism of flexibility increase post stretching, the only mechanism that has been rigorously supported is increased tolerance to stretch. So essentially the brain and nervous system is

For the video version, check out our instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNHNa8szCAt/?igsh=MTE0Yjg1bmczZ3lkcg== We’ve all felt it — that annoying “tight” spot that seems to beg for a good stretch. The instinct is simple: Tight muscle = needs stretching. But it’s not always that straightforward. For most people, muscle tightness isn’t something you actually feel  until you move that muscle towards its end range of motion. And here’s the surprising part — that sensat

For the video version, check out our instagram page https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMRE3tFz6NC/?igsh=MWVlaWFlZ3Iwa2RkbA== When most people think about improving their flexibility, stretching is usually the first thing that comes to mind. It seems obvious: if you want to get more flexible, you should stretch more. But research suggests this isn’t the whole story. In fact, strength training through a full range of motion — especially exercises that focus on the eccentric phase

Hamstring injuries are one of the movement common issues we see in running and change of direction sports. We have previously discussed the importance of maintaining sprinting volume to decrease the likelihood of injury. Improving local strength and capacity in the muscles can also help with injury prevention. In this post we go through some basic exercises to help build hamstring muscle capacity. Check out our instagram page for details: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMJodOjz_

For the video version check out our instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLtb2dGzfMw/?igsh=MXZqcTkxNG91bWQ4MQ== It's quite common for people to report muscle soreness after a training session because they didn't stretch afterwards. Unfortunately we can't decrease soreness by stretching. The process of muscle damage and metabolic stress that occurs particularly with resistance exercise and particularly if that exercise is unaccustomed is completely separate to the pr

School’s out for the summer!!! For international school students in Tokyo, the summer is long and for student athletes the break between seasons is even longer. School sport often wraps up weeks before the end of the academic year and doesn't get started for several weeks after classes recommence. This means that players will often have up to 3 months at a time without structured practice or games. Whilst this does provide a chance to rest and recover both physically and ment

Stretching is important for Injury Prevention (Video version here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKdJJyPTP7t/?igsh=MWl5N3hleXk0dGRsbw== ) It's a common misconception is that stretching is important for decreasing the likelihood of injury. In the clinic we often have people come to us believing that the reason they injured or are suffering pain is because they don't stretch enough. However the research doesn't support this. Across-the-board just stretching more in general doe

This is still one of the most misunderstood concepts when it comes to pain and rehab. For a lot of people, the sensation of tightness or stiffness is conceptually quite separate from what people consider pain, something that's not necessarily harmful, and something that might need to be stretched in order to relieve sensation. As opposed to pain, which may require a different process of management. In reality pain and stiffness are often the same response, just on different e