Sport Stretch, 2nd Edition: 311 Stretches for 41 Sports [Paperback]

Michael J. Alter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 1997

"

This new edition of Sport Stretch is a complete guide to flexibility for both weekend warriors and elite competitors. It features more stretches than the first edition, a new user-friendly layout, and more background information on the hows and whys of stretching.

The centerpieces of this comprehensive book are its illustrations and step-by-step guidelines for 311 different stretches. The stretches can be used individually or grouped with other stretches to form a personalized flexibility program.

Athletes looking to use the stretches to improve performance in a specific sport will love the book's Stretching Program section. It's full of handy tables that detail the most effective exercises for individual sports. There are sample programs for 41 sports in all!

Sport Stretch also provides a selection of ""All Star"" stretches. These include the single best stretches for 28 muscle groups and the 12 best stretches overall. The exercises are perfect to use for warming up and cooling down.

For those who are looking for background information on flexibility, this book explains the basic principles of stretching and describes how the body responds during stretching. Readers will discover what causes muscle soreness, how increased flexibility translates directly into better performance and lessens the chances of injury, and more.

Sport Stretch has everything athletes need to limber up and play their best. It takes the guesswork out of stretching by providing 311 exercises for 41 sports.

"

Editorial Reviews

Review

"
"""The American Running and Fitness Association has been recommending Sport Stretch since it first came out. This new edition is even better. Alter provides a smorgasbord of stretches, so it's easy to find one that works for you. No matter what your sport is, Alter can help your flexibility, and possibly your performance."""
Susan Kalish
Former Executive Director
American Running and Fitness Association
"

Review

"

""The American Running and Fitness Association has been recommending Sport Stretch since it first came out. This new edition is even better. Alter provides a smorgasbord of stretches, so it's easy to find one that works for you. No matter what your sport is, Alter can help your flexibility, and possibly your performance.""
Susan Kalish
Former Executive Director
American Running and Fitness Association

"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics; 2nd edition (September 17, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880118237
• ISBN-13: 978-0880118231
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #458,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #79 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Stretching

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must need book for the Modern Athlete., January 18, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Augusta, Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sport Stretch, 2nd Edition: 311 Stretches for 41 Sports (Paperback)

Michael J. Alter's Sport Stretch is one of the
best sources out there for the Modern Athlete.
I have used the book to assist in my Martial
Arts training and it has helped to greatly
improve my whole training program. Idea for
every athlete but best for anyone who need to
work on flexablity. Get this for the Martial
Artist, Gymist, or Dancer that you know.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book - highly recommended, September 23, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sport Stretch, 2nd Edition: 311 Stretches for 41 Sports (Paperback)

Nicely compliments Alter's Science of Flexibility, this book has many many flexibility exercises and applies then to a good variety of sports (or you can use this as a very nice stretching reference - both for exercises and for theory and methods). I think this book is better than Anderson's book which has been used as the reference for stretching. One typo though, when talking about dynamic stretching, but the illustration is correct.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book, May 17, 2006

By 

reinheitsgebot - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sport Stretch, 2nd Edition: 311 Stretches for 41 Sports (Paperback)

I am a certified personal trainer, athlete, medical massage practitioner and I teach anatomy/physiology, so I review this book with some authority.

The opening chapters explain quite nicely the scientific rationale for, and benefits of, stretching for those who prefer to have a technical basis for what they do. You'll find great variety here and many unique stretches I've not seen in similar books.

To address some of the negative reviews:
Nowhere does the author recommend performing dangerous stretches or techniques beyond the abilities of the reader. Some advanced stretches are presented for informational purposes but with the caveat that these are for VERY specific applications and should be attempted ONLY if you do not have contraindicated conditions. To quote the book: "There is generally no such thing as an unsafe stretch or exercise: only an unsafe way of executing any movement for a specific individual at a specific time". In other words, everyone is different and the reader should use good judgment in their choices. Some people will take very "safe" stretches and get injured by using sloppy form or not training within their abilities while others can perform "dangerous" stretches very safely by proceeding slowly, deliberately and realistically training within their own physical limitations.

Some reviewers purport that 2 or 3 stretches are all that you need and the author is fooling you with many "goofy" stretches. Ridiculous! Can a carpenter build a house with only a hammer and level? NO! If two good stretches were all you needed for each muscle, then the book would simply be entitled, "Two Stretches That Work For Every Person and Sport". Personally, I like that the author has provided a huge amount of variety. That way, I can try any number of the 311 stretches taught and find the 3 or 4 that work best for me for each muscle group. As my needs change, then I can go back to the book and try something different. I would rather have too much information than not enough. If some readers are annoyed by the variety there are plenty of very basic, boring stretch books out there to fill their needs. Also, if you read and understand the opening chapters, you'll know how to adapt any of the stretches to active, dynamic, PNF or vice versa. The book will not limit your advancement as some reviewers mistakenly believe.

I highly recommend this book. It's clear, concise and presents many options, from basic to advanced, for you to build a good stretching program.