What Is Ballistic Stretching? Should You Do It Before Exercise?
Get your muscles ready for a workout by performing these warm-up stretches.
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Ballistic stretching exercise is a warm-up stretch that preps your muscles for a workout. These also include flexibility exercises and active stretching. Stretches with fast and sudden movements help improve flexibility. Dancers and athletes mainly use ballistic stretches to increase range of motion and muscle power (1).
A survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence of stretching practices from various sports or physical activity programs. A total of 3546 questionnaires were analyzed, out of which 47.3% were filled by women and 52.7% were filled by men. 59.6% of respondents believed that stretching exercises were necessary for muscle pain, 59.0% for muscle stiffness, and 60.0% for overall wellness.
However, ballistic stretching is not safe for everyone. Most people should stick to tried-and-true warm-up methods. Continue reading to know all about the ballistic stretch exercise, if it is the best form of warm-up, and its safety concerns.
Workout Blueprint: Ballistic Stretching- Frequency: Daily
- Benefits: Improves range of motion, muscle power and stretch, and flexibility.
- Equipment Needed: Exercise mat
- Space Required: Small area
- Assistance Required: Yes, if you are a beginner.
- Who Should Avoid: Anyone who is not a dancer or athlete.
In This Article
What Is Ballistic Stretching?
Ballistic stretching is extending or forcing a part (or parts) of your body beyond its (their) range of motion. It is done by bouncing and using the momentum to do a hyperextended stretch.
Ballerinas, basketball players, and other athletes perform ballistic stretching and other sports-specific stretching to improve flexibility and increase jump momentum. But there are some red flags that studies have found. Scroll down to know more about them.
What Are The Dangers Of Ballistic Stretching?
Ballistic stretching may be useful for athletes and dancers. But it can be dangerous for an average person looking to just warm-up before exercise as it involves high-velocity stretching.
Several studies show that ballistic stretches cause hamstring weakness and muscle injuries. A long duration of ballistic stretching may cause hamstringi XOne of the three posterior thigh muscles located between the hip and the knee to assist in their movement. to quadricepsi XFour parts of the large extensor thigh muscles required to perform physical movements like stretching, running, walking, and climbing. imbalance (2).
A study states that static stretching is more useful in increasing hamstring flexibility than ballistic stretching (3). Another study shows that static stretching delays the onset of muscle soreness post-exercise compared to ballistic stretching (4).
It is probably because the muscle sensors pull back when the muscles are stretched beyond their normal range of motion. The sensors do so to prevent muscle injuries due to excessive tension.
Ballistic stretching is dangerous for non-athletes. It may cause injuries, muscle weakness, muscle sores, and tendon tears. Instead, you may perform static stretching to warm up your muscles before exercising. Here is why static stretches and ballistic stretches are different:
Difference Between Ballistic And Static Stretching
Ballistic stretching is dynamic stretching and involves a sudden bouncing movement. It hyper stretches the target muscle and may lead to injuries. That is why it is no longer recommended for non-athletes.
Static stretching does not involve bouncing or jerky movements like ballistic stretching. It also does not force the movement beyond the range of motion. It helps lengthen the muscle and improves flexibility over a period. It also includes relaxing stretching routines and use of various stretching techniques.
Alternative Safe Warm-Up Stretches
Here are the stretches you can do before working out:
- Arm circles
- Neck tilts
- Neck rotations
- Shoulder rotations
- Side lunges
- Toe touches
- Downward dog pose
- Calf stretches
- Yoga stretches
Quick TipDoing static stretching to warm up your muscles before doing jumping exercises or any basic exercise is better. But you may do ballistic stretching if you fall under the categories discussed in the next section.
Who May Do Ballistic Stretching
You may do ballistic stretching if:
- Your doctor or trainer has approved it.
- You are an athlete.
- You are a ballet dancer.
Quick TipInfographic: Dangers Of Ballistic Stretching And Safer Alternatives
You need to understand the potential dangers associated with certain stretching techniques to properly improve your flexibility and fitness. Some stretching techniques can cause muscle strain, joint pain, and even serious injuries if not done the right way. Hence, it is important to ensure safe and effective stretching practices. The infographic below sheds light on the dangers of ballistic stretching and provides safer alternatives. Check it out!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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Maintaining a healthy and fit body requires regular workouts. A good muscle warm-up stretch prepares your body for strenuous exercising. If you do not do them, you may suffer an injury or increased muscle soreness. Ballistic stretching exercises are common warm-up exercises for professional dancers and athletes. Other various practices that are common amongst athletes are stretching drills, sports stretching, functional training, and speed training. However, they are not recommended for everyone as they may lead to tendon tears and muscle injuries. These vigorous ballistic stretches include proper movement preparation like moving your limbs and core beyond the normal range of motion, which can be risky if not done properly. Make sure you are doing the exercise correctly and under the guidance of a professional to prevent the risk of injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an example of a ballistic stretch?
A simple example of ballistic stretch is rolling down and bouncing up and down, trying to touch your toe.
Is dynamic stretching the same as ballistic stretching?
Ballistic stretching is a type of dynamic stretching. It is risky and may cause injuries. It should only be practiced by athletes and ballet dancers.
Which type of stretching has the highest risk of injury?
Ballistic stretching has the highest risk of injury in an average person. It may cause muscle weakness and soreness.
Why should you not bounce when stretching?
Bouncing stretches the muscles beyond their normal range of motion. Doing this regularly can lead to muscle weakness.
Is high knees a ballistic stretch?
No, high knees are a type of dynamic stretching exercise that helps open up the lower body. Unlike ballistic stretching, there is no bouncing or momentum involved in dynamic stretching and the muscles are not stretched beyond their normal range of motion.
What ballistic skills can improve your body?
Upward lunges, shoulder rotations, arm, leg, chest swinging exercises, and other various mobility exercises and agility exercises help improve blood circulation and flexibility.
Is kicking a ballistic movement?
Yes, kicking, throwing, striking, and swinging are all types of ballistic movement. Ballistic stretching can aid athletes in broadening their range of motion. These ballistic movements can help an athlete kick harder or jump higher.
Key Takeaways
- Ballistic stretching can increase the range of motion, promote flexibility, and prepare your body for exercise.
- Perform this stretching with caution because it might lead to muscle pulls and strains if not done appropriately.
- It is not for individuals with joint issues or anyone with cold muscles.
- In contrast to other stretching techniques, such as static stretching, ballistic stretching is more vigorous and active.
Discover the secrets of ballistic stretching and learn how to safely increase your flexibility. Watch the video below and start improving your range of motion today.
Sources
- Woolstenhulme, Mandy T et al. “Ballistic stretching increases flexibility and acute vertical jump height when combined with basketball activity.” Journal of strength and conditioning research vol. 20,4 (2006): 799-803.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17194248 - Lima, Camila D et al. “Effects of Static Versus Ballistic Stretching on Hamstring:Quadriceps Strength Ratio and Jump Performance in Ballet Dancers and Resistance Trained Women.” Journal of dance medicine & science : official publication of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science vol. 22,3 (2018): 160-167.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30139422 - Covert, Christopher A et al. “Comparison of ballistic and static stretching on hamstring muscle length using an equal stretching dose.” Journal of strength and conditioning research vol. 24,11 (2010): 3008-14.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20375742 - Smith, L L et al. “The effects of static and ballistic stretching on delayed onset muscle soreness and creatine kinase.” Research quarterly for exercise and sport vol. 64,1 (1993): 103-7.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8451526
