What does stretching involve in exercise theory?

Stretching involves techniques that move joints through their range of motion, which is essential for enhancing flexibility and overall movement quality. This process can include a variety of approaches, such as dynamic stretching, where muscles are engaged in controlled movements to prepare them for activity, as well as static stretching, where positions are held to lengthen muscles and improve flexibility.

By emphasizing the movement of joints through their full range, stretching helps to maintain joint health, improve athletic performance, reduce the risk of injury, and promote better posture and balance. Engaging in a variety of stretching techniques is beneficial not just for increasing flexibility but also for ensuring that the muscles around joints remain functional and strong.

Other choices focus on more limited or unrelated aspects of fitness, such as training with weights, cardiovascular endurance, or static exercises alone, which do not encompass the full range of stretching techniques relevant in exercise theory.