Better stretching, better performance

SARASOTA - Aaron Mattes is a Sarasota-based kinesiologist. He sees professional athletes making consistent mistakes while stretching.

Mattes says those mistakes lead to injuries and decreases athletic performance.

"One of the problems the Rays have, they see a lot of injuries. If they incorporate some of my techniques into what they're already doing well, they could prevent some of the arm problems and pulled hamstrings they suffer," Mattes said.

The Mattes technique is known as Active Isolated Stretching. Aaron also calls this the two-second approach.

"Well, the stretch is held for basically a second and a half at the end of active movement. What happens is we're able to open up the muscle and the connective tissue and the joints themselves."

Aaron Mattes has worked with elite athletes as well as ordinary people for 40 years. He helps stroke victims return to active lifestyles and people on crutches walk away from his office.

But, mostly he helps people feel good, enjoy relief from nagging injuries, and get the most out of their athletic abilities.

For more information: http://www.stretchingusa.com/