What describes ballistic stretching?

Ballistic stretching is characterized by bouncing movements that involve repetitive contractions of the agonist muscle, which is the muscle that is contracting to produce the movement. This type of stretching utilizes the momentum of the body or limbs to push the muscle beyond its normal range of motion. The action can create a quick, sometimes jerky movement that is aimed at achieving greater flexibility, but it can also increase the risk of injury if not performed correctly, as it may not allow sufficient time for the muscle fibers to adapt to the stretch.

In contrast, static stretching is held in one position for a period of time without movement, allowing the muscle to gradually lengthen without any bouncing. Controlled stretching that avoids bouncing is often smoother and focuses on the elongation of muscles without the risk of sudden strain. The option that describes stretching with a gradual increase in resistance pertains more to strength training or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation rather than ballistic stretching.