What is passive stretching?

Passive stretching involves the use of an external force or body assistance to help achieve a stretch. This method allows the muscles to relax and lengthen without actively engaging them to perform the stretch. The external force can come from various sources, such as gravity, a partner, or props like stretch bands or walls. This technique is effective for improving flexibility and increasing the range of motion in joints because it minimizes muscle contraction and promotes a deeper stretch.

The other choices present different forms of stretching. A stretch performed without assistance describes active stretching, where the individual is responsible for holding the stretch using their own muscle strength. Using weight resistance refers to a strength training method that does not focus primarily on flexibility. Lastly, a dynamic stretch routine incorporates movement and is typically used as part of a warm-up to prepare the body for exercise, rather than focusing on passive elongation of muscles.