Although stretching is well known for the flexibility benefits little is known about the cardiovascular effects. Here's a summary of the search I did.
Stretching is very effective at reducing blood pressure [1], [2], [3].
It's probably the most effective kind of training that increases the arterial compliance [4],[5].
It increases the heart rate variability [6], [7].
it enchances the endogenus antioxidant status [8].
It leads to post exercise hypotension [9].
Given the fact that resistance training leads to arterial stiffening [10], stretching might be a valuable adition or even a very good stand alone training program.
[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/24132138
[2] http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC4387644/
[3] http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/22801513
[4] http://www.fasebj.or...act/20/4/A814-c
[5] http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/19666849
[6] http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/15045595
[7] http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/21386722
[8] http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/18504873
[9] http://journals.uran...icle/view/27073
[10] http://www.researchg...A_meta-analysis
Edited by douglis, 20 September 2015 - 09:58 PM.