Life is supposed to be about balance, right? Lately, as I work on my own fitness goals, I've been contemplating the Forces of Pushing & Pulling.
"Pushing" is generally seen as a repulsion away from something (usually something unwanted or undesirable like pain). Pushing factors wake us up to what we don't want.
In exercise, we are pushing away from the floor or an object (usually to get stronger and because we do not want to hit our face on it!).
"Pulling" is seen as an attraction towards a desired goal. These factors clarify and give us momentum to what we do want. Like a "pull-up" helping us get up over something or achieving a strength goal (being able to climb to the top of the pole or a rope for instance).
When most people think of stretching or gaining flexibility, we usually think of sitting in a position for a long period of time until your body gives up and finally gives you the range of motion you've been asking/waiting for.
Unfortunately, with this definition, there are few concerns. One, if you push too much, too quickly, to gain range and either "fall into" a deeper stretch or have someone push you there without proper monitoring or performance, you risk injury. What comes with injury is unfortunately less range of motion and now you are more restricted (and usually have pain) than you were before.
As well, gaining range of motion is great, but, now you need to know how to use it or it won't do much for you in your activities and once again, you are at greater risk of injury because your movements will be bigger, but with less control.
This is where Pushing & Pulling come into practice.
The Balance.
And this is where the term "Active Flexibility" comes in. Range of motion can be broken down into Active (what we can do just on our own - as in, how high you can lift your arm or a straight leg) and Passive (what you can do with assistance either from a device or another person). You need passive movement/stretching to gain range of motion, but then you need to learn how to control it so that you do not get hurt. The stronger or more control you can use with a movement, the better you will be at it. Also, have you ever experienced contract/relax techniques for gaining range of motion? Using the resistance of one muscle being activated to relax the opposite muscle that you are trying to stretch. Push/pull technique.
Splits are the classic example. Everyone wants them and does lots and lots of passive stretching, forgetting that you need active flexibility to control that range so you can safely lower into the splits, hold it with control, and perform it in a variety of positions without injury.
