Im learning to do the splits, whats happening underneath?

Question

Ive researched stretches and techniques, and understand its doing something to my muscles ligaments and tendons.. but what exactly?

do they stretch i.e, get longer? or stay the same 'length' and just get stretchier? im intreguied to know =]

thanks in advanced.

Answer 1

Any time you stretch, it should feel uncomfortable - you are pushing your muscles beyond the capacity that they are normally able to stretch.  In doing so, you cause small tears in the muscle (this is normal - don't worry, you're not hurting yourself), allowing it to stretch further.  The tears repair themselves on their own.  If you stretch too far (when it really hurts a lot), you are injuring your muscles by causing the tears to grow too large.  This is why you should never force a stretch.  Hope that answers it for you!

Answer 2

there like...stretchy and stiff so when you do the splits...or try your stretching them and there becoming more limp.