I wrote about how Dara Torres uses resistance stretching a couple of years ago. I looked into the subject more back then, but never really did anything with it.
Now a new study suggests that full-range resistance training is effective for flexibility. It also showed that resistance training may be even more effective than traditional static stretching programs. This makes more sense to me. I would rather use weights to stretch than a set of strange movements.
My first thought on this was related to hamstring flexibility. Could a full-range stiff-legged deadlift (with lighter weight) be a more effective stretch for the hamstrings than a hurdler stretch? I don't see why not.
I would hypothesize that this type of stretching could be safer as well. With resistance stretching, the muscle is being contracted and stretched. With traditional stretching, the muscle is stretched in a passive state. It seems like the former would be safer to me.
