Different types of stretching for different situations. Dynamic (controlled) movements are what you want to use for activities that require you to perform similar movements (e.g. martial arts).
Static stretching is generally not a great way to gain static flexibility. Yes, if you do a lot and hold your stretches for prolonged times you will gain static flexibility but there are much faster methods (e.g. PNF). An important point though is that you need a base of strength as well. I.e. if your muscles are weak you're either not going to gain flexibility or you will increase your chance of injury.
I think the "root" of lack of knowledge about stretching goes to high school phys ed classes. The sport science has been there for a long time, though it keeps getting refined, but things like doing quick static stretches as a "warm up" routine (does nothing and maybe increases chance of injury in the following activities) is just people that don't know the science passing on something they've learnt from people that don't know the science.
Thanks for this! I was going to say exactly this, but less comprehensively and probably less coherently.
> I think the "root" of lack of knowledge about stretching goes to high school phys ed classes.
And high school sports. I knew something was seriously wrong with all that when I saw a friend of mine rip his hamstring during practice one day. He was nuts about stretching, but never did a proper warm-up.
Static stretching is generally not a great way to gain static flexibility. Yes, if you do a lot and hold your stretches for prolonged times you will gain static flexibility but there are much faster methods (e.g. PNF). An important point though is that you need a base of strength as well. I.e. if your muscles are weak you're either not going to gain flexibility or you will increase your chance of injury.
I think the "root" of lack of knowledge about stretching goes to high school phys ed classes. The sport science has been there for a long time, though it keeps getting refined, but things like doing quick static stretches as a "warm up" routine (does nothing and maybe increases chance of injury in the following activities) is just people that don't know the science passing on something they've learnt from people that don't know the science.