The mechanisms underlying range of motion enhancements via flexibility training discussed in the literature show high heterogeneity in research methodology and study findings. In addition, scientific conclusions are mostly based on functional observations while studies considering the underlying physiology are less common. However, understanding the underlying mechanisms that contribute to an improved range of motion through stretching is crucial for conducting comparable studies with sound designs, optimising training routines and accurately interpreting resulting outcomes. While there seems to be no evidence to attribute acute range of motion increases as well as changes in muscle and tendon stiffness and pain perception specifically to stretching or foam rolling, the role of general warm-up effects is discussed in this paper. Additionally, the role of mechanical tension applied to greater muscle lengths for range of motion improvement will be discussed. Thus, it is suggested that physical training stressors can be seen as external stimuli that control gene expression via the targeted stimulation of transcription factors, leading to structural adaptations due to enhanced protein synthesis. Hence, the possible role of serial sarcomerogenesis in altering pain perception, reducing muscle stiffness and passive torque, or changes in the optimal joint angle for force development is considered as well as alternative interventions with a potential impact on anabolic pathways. As there are limited possibilities to directly measure serial sarcomere number, longitudinal muscle hypertrophy remains without direct evidence. The available literature does not demonstrate the necessity of only using specific flexibility training routines such as stretching to enhance acute or chronic range of motion.

文献中讨论的通过灵活性训练增强运动范围的机制在研究方法和研究结果中表现出高度异质性。此外，科学结论大多基于功能观察，而考虑潜在生理学的研究较少见。然而，了解通过拉伸改善运动范围的潜在机制对于进行合理设计的可比研究、优化训练程序和准确解释结果至关重要。虽然似乎没有证据表明运动范围的急剧增加以及肌肉和肌腱僵硬和疼痛感知的变化专门归因于拉伸或泡沫轴滚动，但本文讨论了一般热身效果的作用。此外，还将讨论机械张力应用于更大肌肉长度以改善运动范围的作用。因此，有人认为体能训练压力源可以被视为外部刺激，通过有针对性地刺激转录因子来控制基因表达，从而由于蛋白质合成增强而导致结构适应。因此，考虑了连续肌瘤生成在改变疼痛感知、减少肌肉僵硬和被动扭矩或改变力发展的最佳关节角度方面的可能作用，以及对合成代谢途径有潜在影响的替代干预措施。由于直接测量连续肌节数量的可能性有限，纵向肌肉肥大仍然没有直接证据。 现有文献并未证明仅使用特定的灵活性训练程序（例如拉伸）来增强急性或慢性运动范围的必要性。