What is the main characteristic of active stretching?

The main characteristic of active stretching is holding a muscle in place through agonist contraction. This method involves actively contracting the muscle opposite to the one being stretched, which effectively increases the range of motion for the muscle being stretched. For example, if you are stretching the hamstrings, you would actively contract the quadriceps (the agonist), which helps facilitate a deeper stretch of the hamstrings without the need for an external force.

This technique not only promotes flexibility by increasing the muscle's length through contraction but also strengthens the agonist muscle (the one being activated) and improves neuromuscular coordination. Because of this dual benefit, active stretching is often favored in warm-up routines and flexibility training.

The other options either describe different stretching techniques or do not accurately represent the distinguishing feature of active stretching. Using external assistance describes passive stretching, while dynamic movements pertain more to dynamic stretching rather than the active hold characteristic. Incorporating multiple muscle groups is more relevant to compound movements rather than the focused and specific process of active stretching.