Flexibility: A Concise Guide

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvi

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2. Introduction

   1. Introduction

      • Laurence E. Holt, Thomas W. Pelham, Jason Holt

      Pages 1-7

3. Practical Considerations

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 9-9

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   2. Stretching Techniques and Exercise Prescriptions

      • Laurence E. Holt, Thomas W. Pelham, Jason Holt

      Pages 11-22

   3. Stretching the Major Muscle Groups of the Lower Limb

      • Laurence E. Holt, Thomas W. Pelham, Jason Holt

      Pages 23-35

   4. Stretching the Major Muscle Groups of the Upper Limb

      • Laurence E. Holt, Thomas W. Pelham, Jason Holt

      Pages 37-45

   5. Stretching the Major Muscle Groups of the Trunk and Neck

      • Laurence E. Holt, Thomas W. Pelham, Jason Holt

      Pages 47-54

   6. Advanced 3S Stretching Exercises for Figure Skaters, Gymnasts, Divers, and Dancers

      • Laurence E. Holt, Thomas W. Pelham, Jason Holt

      Pages 55-59

   7. Sports, Fitness, and Dance Applications

      • Laurence E. Holt, Thomas W. Pelham, Jason Holt

      Pages 61-66

4. Theoretical Considerations

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 67-67

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   2. Flexibility and Exercise

      • Laurence E. Holt, Thomas W. Pelham, Jason Holt

      Pages 69-81

   3. Myths About Stretching

      • Laurence E. Holt, Thomas W. Pelham, Jason Holt

      Pages 83-95

   4. Clinical Concepts and Applications

      • Laurence E. Holt, Thomas W. Pelham, Jason Holt

      Pages 97-111

   5. The Mechanisms of Flexibility Enhancement

      • Laurence E. Holt, Thomas W. Pelham, Jason Holt

      Pages 113-125

5. Conclusion

   1. Conclusion

      • Laurence E. Holt, Thomas W. Pelham, Jason Holt

      Pages 127-139

6. Back Matter

   Pages 141-162

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In 1964, at the beginning of my PhD studies at Southern Illinois University, I was first introduced to the theory and practice of proprioceptive neuro­ muscular facilitation (PNF). One specific application, reversal of antago­ nists, particularly intrigued me, and served as the focus of not only my dissertation, but also numerous research projects, presentations, and pub­ lications over the ensuing years, including the monograph Scientific Stretch­ ing for Sport (1973). This was the first publication to present a simplified. planar version of reversal of antagonists for enhancing flexibility. Although I was repeatedly encouraged by friends and colleagues to write a more extensive text, I knew that more laboratory research, methodologi­ cal fine-tuning, clinical information, and significant changes to the concep­ tual foundations, were needed before a truly meaningful book could be written. Throughout my 36 years at Dalhousie University. I have been fortunate to have had a number of excellent graduate students whose theses contrib­ uted much of this needed material. Their work has been published in numerous academic journals and is referenced throughout this text.

• Diabetes
• Diabetes mellitus
• Flexibility
• Stretching
• medicine
• muscle
• prevention
• rehabilitation
• sports medicine
• traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
• training
• rehabilitation psychology

From the reviews:

"A multiauthored review of flexibility. ... An interesting and thorough guide to the current theories and practical applications of flexibility training is included. ... Recommended Readership: Strength and conditioning specialists, athletic trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physicians in the areas of primary care, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and orthopedics." (Jonathan Finnoff, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Vol. 83 (8), July, 2008)

"In Flexibility: A Concise Guide to Conditioning, Performance Enhancement, Injury Prevention, and Rehabilitation, the authors address these and other questions based on their cumulative years of work in this area. … I found Flexibility: A Concise Guide informative and helpful. I recommend this book to practitioners who wish to increase their understanding of flexibility and the application of stretching techniques." (Thomas Wesley Allen, The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, Vol. 109 (2), February, 2009)

• School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

  Laurence E. Holt

• Waverley, Canada

  Thomas W. Pelham

• School of Recreation Management and Kinesiology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Canada

  Jason Holt

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