Active Isolated Stretching

What is Active Isolated Stretching?

Over the past two decades, many experts have advocated prolonged stretching up to 60 seconds. A prolonged stretch up to 60 seconds means that a person would move into a stretching position and keep it there for a longer period. For many years this was used as the gold standard for all individuals and athletes. However, after 30 years of research by Aaron Mattes, it was found that a stretch greater than 5 seconds actually decreases the blood flow within the tissue thus creating localized ischemia and lactic acid build-up. This also increases irritation and change of injury of local muscular, tendonous, lymphatic as well as neural tissues, similar to the effects and consequences of trauma, overuse syndromes, and metabolic disease states.

This phenomenon indicates that there has to be a better technique for proper stretching. And indeed, it was found and developed by Aaron L. Mattes and is now called Active Isolated Stretching (AIS). This method utilizes precise movements to isolate a specific area to be stretched. Once in the proper position, the stretch is held for 1.5 to 2 seconds, released, and then repeated 8-10 times in a set. It allows the body to repair itself and also to prepare for daily activity.

Active Isolated Stretching is probably the best method of stretching!
AIS is probably the best method of stretching to increase flexibility and performance in athletes and professionals while reducing the risk of injury, pain in the human body caused by incorrect posture and inactivity.

Why Active Isolated Stretching?

Everybody needs to stretch and even more so stretch the right way. In every human being muscle imbalance and muscular trauma do exist. With Active Isolated Stretching, these imbalances can be adjusted and the different muscle groups can be taught to work together in harmony once again. When this is achieved, the most serious diseases and illnesses can be prevented significantly.

StretchingSA aims to bring this important message into the hearts of everybody in South Africa. Every parent that knows his/her kid will be entering his/her growth spurt soon should engage in postural screening tests and proper exercises like AIS. Every young man or woman knows he/she is not flexible at all and might get serious consequences from this.

Every athlete that is serious about the sport should engage in a proper stretching program as soon as possible. Every middle-aged person knows that when one neglects the physical condition of the body you will become obese and put yourself at risk. Every aged human being that suffers from pain and age-related problems, and everybody with postural problems and any other musculoskeletal disorder will find a huge benefit from the physical programs that StretchingSA can bring to them.