 Russell Davis, now a Seattle Seahawks Defensive Tackle, has been working with Ann since early in his career. |
When Ann Frederick was a student in the Dance and Exercise Science departments at Arizona State University, she committed herself to an exhaustive study of all the research that had been done on human flexibility and stretching. To her surprise and dismay, there was only a small and greatly deficient body of scientific literature available on these subjects.
Since Ann was already successful at achieving her clients' goals through stretching while still in school, she was determined to scientifically research and compare the effects of her unique brand of stretching to traditional methods.
Most literature at that time indicated that stretching using PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) technique had better outcomes and had been an established scientific method of gaining range of motion and strength since the 1940's. So Ann studied and used the fundamentals of PNF Contract-Relax (C-R) and Contract-Relax-Agonist Contract (CRAC) in her work. She developed a proprietary belt system for stabilization to augment the PNF and independently came up with a logical system of principles that guided the success of the stretch sessions. Primary among these principles was that 'optimal flexibility gains are made without pain'.
Using videographic measurement and analysis under the supervision of her mentors, she determined that her subjects gained 'cold' range of motion (ROM), i.e. no warm up before measurements were taken, of 36%-52% after only 3 test stretches. Ann understood this to mean that structural change in the tissue had to occur to allow increased ROM of this magnitude. Furthermore, a literature review up to the time of Ann's study in 1997 indicated that her results were far and above what other studies' outcomes had indicated.
Over ten years later, Stretch to Win is now collaborating with Brent Alvar, PhD. Dr. Alvar is assistant research professor in the Exercise and Wellness Department of Arizona State University (Polytechnic Campus). He is also faculty at Chandler Gilbert Community College where he teaches a variety of courses in the areas of Health, Wellness, and Physical Education. Dr. Alvar supervises the Williams Fitness Center at the college and is Sport Performance Director for CGCC student athletes. Together with Dr. Alvar, the Fredericks will be conducting research to advance the study of stretching and flexibility training in sports as it relates to athletic performance.
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