In any sport, there is repetitive motion & when muscles are used in repetition, they become shortened. When your muscles are in a shortened state they lose their ability to fully contract & release. The muscle becomes less effective over time, resulting in decreased performance, less strength, reduced flexibility, fatigue, & puts you at a much higher risk for injury.

As a serious athlete, no matter how much you stretch you will inevitably develop your muscles to the point where they begin to lose strength. Most consider this as a result of aging when actually it’s because the muscles involved have become shortened through repetitive action. This shortening greatly accelerates athletes’ decline in performance over their career and is usually the reason they are forced to retire before they would choose to.  

When a muscle is overly-developed that means it is partially contracted at all times. Hardened, bulging muscles may be good for the beach, but will only hold you back in your sport. 

Developing your muscles is key to becoming stronger or faster, but once you reach a certain point, muscles must be lengthened to achieve their full potential. If you move quickly against a tight muscle or an adhesion, that’s where a serious tear can occur.