The Truth About Stretching for Kids: An Evidence-Based Guide from a Paediatric Physio

Below, our team breaks down the research on how stretching works for different people, including children with specific developmental needs.

How Stretching Improves Range of Motion

Stretching has been established as an effective way to increase joint range of motion in people with normal flexibility. Athletes often use stretching to improve their range of motion. Static stretching reduces overall stiffness when performed at moderate (to discomfort) or high intensity (to pain). Repeated stretching over 3-6 weeks reduces sensitivity, so you can tolerate a stronger stretch and therefore get better range of motion. Improvements in range are probably due to reduced stiffness of the muscle fibres, rather than a change in the tendon, which has a much higher collagen content and is less flexible than the muscle belly. Studies recommend stretching for at least 2 minutes, at least 3 days per week, for at least 2 weeks.

Stretching for Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Children with spastic cerebral palsy have different muscle architecture to typically developing children. Generally in spastic muscles the muscle belly is shorter and the tendon is longer, which is one of the reasons the muscle is weaker. Static and dynamic stretching are generally not effective for increasing joint range of motion or muscle function. However, regular stretching is effective in preventing contractures, which is important for maintaining gross motor skills.

Stretching for People with Existing Contractures

In people with contractures, or muscle shortening, a stretching program may improve joint range by 1-2 degrees, which is not a lot. This is true of people both with and without neurological conditions. This research has been conducted largely in adults, so there is more work to be done to understand if this is also true in children. This means that for people with muscle shortening, it is best to combine stretching with other treatments, such as Botulinum Toxin injection (Botox) or functional electrical stimulation.

Your Expert Guide for Your Child's Needs

As the research shows, stretching is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The right approach depends entirely on your child's unique body and their specific goals. For further information and a plan tailored specifically for your child, it is always best to speak to your paediatric physiotherapist.

Our team at Brave Bodies provides expert, family-centred care across the South West, including Busselton, Bunbury, Dunsborough, and Margaret River. We are here to help you navigate your child's developmental journey with confidence.

Contact us to learn more or to book an appointment.

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Sources:

Ingram, L.A., Tomkinson, G.R., d’Unienville, N.M.A. et al. Mechanisms Underlying Range of Motion Improvements Following Acute and Chronic Static Stretching: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Multivariate Meta-regression. Sports Med 55, 1449–1466 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02204-7

Kruse, Annika, et al. "Eight weeks of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching and static stretching do not affect muscle-tendon properties, muscle strength, and joint function in children with spastic cerebral palsy." Clinical Biomechanics 107 (2023): 106011.

Kalkman, Barbara M., et al. "Stretching interventions in children with cerebral palsy: why are they ineffective in improving muscle function and how can we better their outcome?." Frontiers in physiology 11 (2020): 131.

Harvey, Lisa A., et al. "Stretch for the treatment and prevention of contracture: an abridged republication of a Cochrane Systematic Review." Journal of physiotherapy 63.2 (2017): 67-75.