I am pleased that you have taken the time to read our perspective article1 thoughtfully, and I appreciate your comments and question regarding contract/relax stretching.
The primary intent of our perspective article was to introduce the concept that increases in muscle extensibility observed after stretching can be due to modified sensation. This concept alone has profound implications regarding assessment of muscle extensibility and in understanding the biomechanical effects of stretching. While researching this topic, I found that there are a number of theories regarding muscle extensibility and stretching that are widely accepted as conventional wisdom but that are not supported by experimental evidence. Therefore, another underlying purpose of our article was to show how little basic research has been performed regarding these topics. What is presented in the perspective article is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate at this point in time. As with any scientific endeavor, as research continues, more evidence will likely come to light that will refine the ideas presented. I consider our article …
