What Are The ACSM Guidelines For Stretching?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends

holding each stretch for 10 to 30 seconds

. For older individuals, holding a stretch for 30 to 60 seconds is recommended for the greatest benefits.

What are the flexibility guidelines?

  • Stretch after warming up the muscles and joints.
  • Stretch slowly and smoothly only to the point of mild discomfort; avoid bouncing.
  • Maintain normal breathing throughout each stretch.
  • Focus attention on the muscle being stretched; try to limit movement in other body parts.

What are the ACSM guidelines for flexibility?

Flexibility Exercise: Adults should do at least two or three days each week to improve range of motion. Each stretch should be held for 10 to 30 seconds, to the point of tightness or slight discomfort.

Repeat each stretch two to four times, accumulating 60 seconds per stretch

.

What is flexibility ACSM?

ACSM provides this simple definition of flexibility: “

Flexibility is the ability to move a joint through its complete ROM [range of motion]

” (

1

). … Instead, flexibility exercises should be included as part of an overall exercise program as a proactive way to maintain, or even improve, ROM.

What are the ACSM guidelines for physical fitness?

ACSM and CDC recommendations state that:

All healthy adults aged 18–65 yr should participate in

moderate intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum of 30 min on five days per week

, or vigorous intensity aerobic activity for a minimum of 20 min on three days per week.

How often should you stretch ACSM?

Flexibility Exercise: Adults should do flexibility exercises

at least two or three days each week

to improve range of motion. Each stretch should be held for 10 to 30 seconds, to the point of tightness or slight discomfort. Repeat each stretch two to four times, accumulating 60 seconds per stretch.

How many repetitions of a stretch does the ACSM recommend?


At least four repetitions per muscle group

should be completed at each session. exercises should mobilize the major muscle and tendon groups and may include static, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and ballistic techniques.

What flexibility exercises are not recommended?

  • Sit-and-reach stretches before running. All those toe-grabbing stretches you were taught as a youngster? …
  • Stretching to prevent muscle injuries. …
  • Stretching to prevent soreness. …
  • Stretching before strength training with weights. …
  • “Ballistic” stretching.

What are the types of flexibility?

There are two types of flexibility exercises:

static stretching

, in which you stretch a muscle without moving, and dynamic stretching, which combines stretching with movements.

What is the time for flexibility?

Healthy adults should do flexibility exercises (stretches, yoga, or tai chi) for all major muscle-tendon groups—neck, shoulders, chest, trunk, lower back, hips, legs, and ankles—at least two to three times a week. For optimal results, you should spend a

total of 60 seconds on each

stretching exercise.

Which benefit comes with flexibility?


Stretching

your body to become more supple and flexible offers many physical benefits. Such training allows for easier and deeper movements while building strength and stability. Stretching your muscles and joints also leads to greater range of motion, improved balance, and increased flexibility.

Why is it important to assess flexibility?

Maintaining a reasonable degree of flexibility is

necessary for efficient body movement

. Being flexible may also decrease the chances of sustaining muscle injury or soreness and low back pain. … Flexibility assessment and exercises are crucial for lengthening muscles that are too tight.

What is the most common type of stretching?

The most common type of stretching,

static stretching

, is executed by extending the targeted muscle group to its maximal point and holding it for 30 seconds or more.

What are the principles of Fitt?

The FITT principles are

an exercise prescription to help participants understand how long and how hard they should exercise

. FITT is acronym that stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type. FITT can be applied to exercise in general or specific components of exercise.

What is the ACSM resistance training recommendation for older adults?

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that a strength training program should be performed a minimum of two non-consecutive days each week, with one set of 8 to 12 repetitions for healthy adults or

10 to 15 repetitions for older

and frail individuals.

What are the physical activity guidelines?

  • should do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity;
  • or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week.
Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.