How do combat stretches work?

Combat stretches involve training specific muscle groups to correct imbalances and enhance function. Specifically, the "combat stretch" technique focuses on strengthening the tibialis muscle in the front shin area, which acts as a shock absorber. Strengthening this muscle can help prevent and alleviate shin splints.

In the dialogue from the Mind Pump Podcast, the hosts highlight how shin splints often result from muscle weakness and imbalances in the lower legs. They recommend toe raises as an initial exercise but suggest that combat stretches are superior for serious cases. For the best results, they advise coupling combat stretches with tibialis strengthening exercises, which could significantly reduce or eliminate shin splints for many individuals.

Adam Schafer, a host, suggests using the combat stretch in conjunction with training the tibialis muscle to treat shin splints effectively. His approach involves correcting these muscle imbalances to provide stability and shock absorption during activities like running, which can reduce the occurrence of shin splints 1.