2026年4月托福机经套卷(第5套) - Read an Academic Passage Q1

Stretching: Benefits and Drawbacks Stretching has long been championed as integral to physical fitness, widely believed to enhance flexibility and reduce injury risk. However, research supports a more nuanced picture, with the distinction between dynamic and static stretching being particularly critical. Dynamic stretching, involving controlled, fluid movements through a range of motion, apparently improves athletic performance by priming muscles for activity. In contrast, static stretching, the holding of a position for an extended period, seems to hinder performance of subsequent exercise. Related studies show that static stretching can temporarily reduce muscle strength, likely due to reduced muscle activation through the nervous system and a decrease in muscle stiffness, both of which can impair the ability to generate force. For example, athletes engaging in static pre-competition stretches often exhibit diminished sprint speed and vertical jump height. There is, however, a key qualification to this contrast: While static stretching may be detrimental before exertion, it remains valuable post-exercise, aiding in recovery and flexibility maintenance. Meanwhile, dynamic stretching not only prepares the body physically but may also enhance coordination and neuromuscular efficiency. The evolving understanding of these techniques challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to stretching, suggesting that timing, context, and type are essential variables in optimizing physical readiness and long-term fitness outcomes.