Ballistic stretching involves active muscular effort similar to dynamic stretching. However, ballistic stretching uses a bouncing or jerking movement to increase the stretch.
Ballistic stretching is effective at increasing range of motion but has been associated with injury, particularly where there has been previous injuries (1). Ballistic stretches often activates the muscle spindles and triggers the stretch-reflex.(2)
An example ballistic stretch is bent over toe touching with a bouncing movement. On each movement, the athlete attempts to touch the ground using gravity and bodyweight to assist in the stretch.
Jacky has a degree in Sports Science and is a Certified Sports and Conditioning Coach. He has also worked with clients around the world as a personal trainer.
He has been fortunate enough to work with a wide range of people from very different ends of the fitness spectrum. Through promoting positive health changes with diet and exercise, he has helped patients recover from aging-related and other otherwise debilitating diseases.
He spends most of his time these days writing fitness-related content of some form or another. He still likes to work with people on a one-to-one basis – he just doesn’t get up at 5am to see clients anymore.