Stretching (German stretching, stretching gymnastics) is a stretchy term. However, “stretching” is usually understood as a possible method to improve mobility. This involves bringing the muscle group to be stretched while flexing or stretching the adjacent joints. Among other things, a distinction is made between dynamic, static, active and passive forms of stretching gymnastics, as well as various mixed forms. None of the different forms of stretching gymnastics shows clear, scientifically proven advantages over another.
Various types of stretching gymnastics, including stretching, are an integral part of sports training and also play a role in rehabilitation. Certain sports require very good or even excessive mobility, such as artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics. However, the positive effects on performance, recovery, or injury risk attributed to stretching or (improved) mobility, which many athletes perceive subjectively as being attributed to stretching or (improved) mobility, have also not yet been scientifically proven.