Effective flexibility procedures are one of the essential tools by which excellence can be attained. Although stretching exercises provide obvious benefits, negative outcomes can result unless effective stretching procedures are incoroporated. Characteristics of effective stretching include warmup before stretching, stretch before and after exercise, stretch slowly and gently, hold a minimum of 10 seconds, stretch to a point of tension (not pain), and relax. Furthermore, the primary target of flexibility exercise is connective tissue. Effective procedures control sensory mechanisms by inhibiting muscle spindle receptors and stimulating Golgi tendon organs resulting in less resistance to stretching soft tissue. Modified proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) flexibility techniques have been found to significantly increase joint range of motion over that of the static and other conventional techniques. (Author)