INTERNAL PERFORMANCE CENTER®

The Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) method of muscle lengthening provides effective, dynamic, facilitated stretching of major muscle groups, but more importantly, AIS provides functional and physiological restoration

 of superficial and deep fascial planes. For years, a prolonged static stretching technique was the gold standard. However, prolonged static stretching actually decreases the blood flow within the tissue creating localized

ischemia and lactic acid buildup. This can potentially cause irritation or injury of local muscular, tendinous, lymphatic, as well as neural tissues, similar to the effects and consequences of trauma and overuse syndromes. Performing AIS of no longer than two seconds allows the target muscles to optimally lengthen without

triggering the protective stretch reflex and subsequent reciprocal antagonistic muscle contraction as the

isolated muscle achieves a state of relaxation. These stretches provide maximum benefit and can be

accomplished without opposing tension or resulting trauma.