What should one be cautious of while stretching?

Being cautious about overstretching a muscle is crucial for maintaining overall musculoskeletal health. Overstretching can lead to muscle strains, tears, or other injuries, particularly when the muscle is not adequately warmed up or when too much force is applied. Muscles have a certain range of motion, and exceeding this range can cause damage to the muscle fibers and connective tissues.

Understanding the limits of flexibility is key when stretching. It’s important to push the muscle only to the point of mild discomfort—which indicates a stretch—rather than pain, which signals potential injury. This awareness helps to prevent injuries that may not only affect current activities but also hinder long-term progress in flexibility and performance.

While timing, duration, and breathing during stretches are important aspects to consider, overstretching poses a direct risk of acute injury and should be the primary concern when stretching.