Locked Knees?

Hi, a lot of non-gymnastic resources describe stretches for the ham strings and lower back, such as pike, as being performed with the knees slightly bent. In fact I get the impression from these sites that to do otherwise is dangerous. However, looking at any gymnast perform suggests that it is okay to have the knees locked out during these types of excercises. Would anybody be able to explain why these other resources feel that locked knees is not a good idea and what is the difference interms of impact on the muscles and joints ect is when a stretch shuch as a pike is performed with either knees bent or straight?

Cheers

Many of these other sources are working with a segment of the population for whom normal ranges of motion are extremely challenging. You will generally also find that these same sources recommend not performing full squats and that it is dangerous to perform full range of motion dips. It is not so much that these range of motions are dangerous, obviously not or the body would not naturally possess such a ROM, but that the individuals in question have artificially restricted their strength and range of motion through a lifetime of poor habits.

In my opinion, their approach is flawed. Rather than correcting the issues, they are simply trying to work around them.

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer

Thanks for that.