eli5: When a ballet dancer attempts to do the 180-degree leg stretch, and the coach pushes upon it, often with intense pain from the dancer. What are they breaking to overcome the stretch limit?
In: 10
When a ballet dancer or any other athlete stretches, nothing is actually being “broken.” What’s happening is that they’re slowly increasing their flexibility, and sometimes that can feel uncomfortable.
Our bodies are made to move, but each person has a limit to how far their joints can go, which is determined by a couple of things:
Muscle length: Our muscles are like rubber bands. They can stretch out and then return to their normal size. But if you’ve never stretched a muscle before, it can feel tight and might not want to stretch very far. Over time, with regular stretching, a muscle can become more flexible.
Tendon and Ligament flexibility: Tendons and ligaments are like the ropes that attach our muscles to our bones and hold our joints together. They can also stretch a little bit, but not as much as muscles. It’s very important not to stretch them too far, as it can lead to injuries.
When a ballet dancer is trying to do a 180-degree leg stretch, they are pushing the limits of how far their muscles and tendons can stretch. When a coach pushes on a dancer’s leg during a stretch, they’re helping the dancer go a little bit further than they could on their own. This can be uncomfortable or even painful because it’s a new, unfamiliar sensation for the muscles and tendons.
The key to improving flexibility is to stretch regularly and gradually, never forcing a stretch to the point of severe pain. Over time, with consistency and patience, a dancer can increase their flexibility and perform those impressive stretches and poses you see in ballet!
Remember, it’s important to always listen to your body. Sharp or intense pain can be a sign that you’re pushing too hard and might hurt yourself.
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