• An expanded research section with 2,100 scholarly and professional references
  
• Boxes within the text that expand discussion of stretching-related topics such as elasticity, collagen and scarring, and altered stretch perception
  
• Redrawn tables and figures as well as new illustrations
  
• New information on several sports and artistic disciplines, including music and dance, and their functional aspects of stretching

• Defining Flexibility
  
• Differences Among Flexibility, Hypermobility, Joint Laxity, and Joint Instability
  
• Nature of Flexibility
  
• Flexibility-Training Program
  
• Benefits of a Flexibility-Training Program
  
• Summary

• Classifications of Study
  
• Classification of Joints and Their Influence on Motion
  
• Types of Motion
  
• Relationship Between Bone Growth and Flexibility
  
• Wolff’s Law
  
• Close-Packed Position and Its Relation to Flexibility
  
• Loose-Packed Position and Its Relation to Flexibility
  
• Summary

• General Overview of Skeletal Muscles
  
• Composition of Myofibrils and Their Constituents
  
• Regions of the Sarcomere
  
• Ultrastructure of the Connecting, or Gap Filament: Titin
  
• Sarcomere Structural Bridges
  
• Theory of Contraction
  
• Theory of Muscular Relaxation
  
• Theoretical Limit of Muscular Elongation
  
• Modifying the “Classic” Sliding Filament Model
  
• Additional Limitations to Range of Motion
  
• Effects of Immobilization
  
• Mechanism of Passive Stretch on Myofibrillogenesis
  
• Proposed Methods of Modulating Gene Expression via Stretching
  
• Summary

• Collagenous Tissue
  
• Ultrastructure of Collagenous Tissue
  
• Elastic Tissue
  
• Relationship Between Collagenous and Elastic Fibers
  
• Structures Composed of Connective Tissue
  
• Effects of Immobilization on Connective Tissue
  
• Metabolic and Nutritional Influences on Connective Tissue
  
• Summary

• Terminology
  
• Soft Tissues
  
• Muscle
  
• Vascular Tissue
  
• Peripheral Nerves
  
• Factors Affecting the Mechanical Properties of Connective Tissues, Muscles, and Nerves
  
• Need for Additional Research
  
• Summary

• Sensory Receptors Related to Stretching
  
• Reflexes and Other Spinal Neural Circuits
  
• Coactivation/Cocontraction
  
• Plasticity of the Spinal Cord Neural Circuits
  
• Neurological and Other Factors of Flexibility Training
  
• Summary

• Terminology
  
• Assessment of Joint Hypermobility
  
• Determining Factors of Hypermobility
  
• Consequences of Hypermobility
  
• General Management of Hypermobility
  
• Inherited Syndromes
  
• Research Perspectives in Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue
  
• Additional Issues
  
• Contortionism
  
• Summary

• Defining Relaxation
  
• Measuring Relaxation
  
• Methodologies of Facilitating Muscular Relaxation
  
• Summary

• Damaged or Torn Muscle Hypothesis
  
• Damaged Connective Tissue Hypothesis
  
• Hypothesis of Metabolic Accumulation or Osmotic Pressure and Swelling
  
• Lactic Acid Accumulation Hypothesis
  
• Hypothesis of Localized Spasm of Motor Units
  
• Predisposing Factors of Delayed Muscle Soreness
  
• Trauma and Overload Injury to the Musculature and Connective Tissues
  
• Medical Management of Acute Soft Tissue Injuries
  
• Effects of Mechanical Stress on Elasticity and Strength of Collagen in Scar Tissue
  
• Summary

• Children and Flexibility Development
  
• Gender Differences in Flexibility
  
• Body Build and Flexibility
  
• Racial Differences in Flexibility
  
• Genetics and Flexibility
  
• Dominant Laterality and Flexibility
  
• Warming Up and Cooling Down
  
• Strength Training and Flexibility
  
• Circadian Variations and Flexibility
  
• Summary

• Effects of an Audience on Developing Flexibility Through Stretching
  
• Theoretical Aspects of Mental Training
  
• Cybernetic Stretch
  
• Ideokinetic Imagery
  
• Psychosomatic Factors
  
• Psychology of Compliance in Flexibility Training, Injury Prevention, and Rehabilitation Programs
  
• Summary

• Homeostasis
  
• Overstretching Principle
  
• Flexibility-Training Methods
  
• Retention of Flexibility
  
• Requisite Knowledge for Stretching
  
• Potential Factors Influencing Flexibility (ROM)
  
• Additional Principles of Stretching
  
• Summary

• Traditional Classifications of Stretching
  
• Additional Classifications
  
• Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
  
• Additional Stretching Techniques
  
• Mobilization
  
• Manipulation and Chiropractic Adjustment
  
• Traction
  
• Nontraditional Stretching Devices
  
• Summary

• Flexibility Continuum
  
• X-Rated Exercises
  
• No Absolute “No-Nos”
  
• Summary

• Flexibility and the Geriatric Population
  
• Flexibility and Pregnancy
  
• Flexibility and People With Physical Disabilities
  
• Summary

• The Foot and Toes
  
• The Ankle Joint
  
• The Lower Leg
  
• The Knee Joint
  
• The Upper Leg
  
• The Pelvic Region
  
• The Hip Joint
  
• Summary

• Gross Anatomy of the Vertebral Column
  
• Function of the Vertebral Column
  
• The Vertebrae
  
• The Intervertebral Disks
  
• The Vertebral Ligaments
  
• Limits on Range of Motion of the Thoracic-Lumbar Region
  
• Interrelationship of Stretching the Lower Back, Pelvis, and Hamstrings
  
• The Cervical Vertebrae
  
• Movements of the Cervical Region
  
• Summary

• The Shoulder Girdle and Arm
  
• The Elbow Joint and Forearm Region
  
• The Wrist Joint
  
• Summary

• Aesthetic Aspect of Skills
  
• Biomechanical Aspect of Skills: ROM
  
• Additional Impediments
  
• Jogging, Running, and Sprinting
  
• Swimming and Water Polo
  
• Throwing and Projecting
  
• Wrestling
  
• Weight Lifting, Power Lifting, and Bodybuilding
  
• Rib Cage Flexibility, Performance, and Respiration
  
• Springboard and Platform Diving
  
• Golf
  
• Ballet and Other Forms of Dance
  
• Musicians
  
• Summary

Reference for sports medicine professionals, exercise scientists, chiropractors, physical therapists; practical guide for personal trainers and health and fitness instructors; textbook for physical therapy, massage therapy, yoga, all forms of dance, and other professional therapy training programs.