I can feel a stretch in the lower back after doing this stretch, is this a sign of tight hip flexors?
Could you be more specific? Do you mean your lower back feels looser when you’re done with the stretch? Or do you mean you feel a lot of tension through the lower back while you’re stretching the psoas? If so, then yes, the tight psoas is pulling on the lower back while you’re trying to stretch it. In that case, I would recommend a less aggressive stretch. Maybe start with the Constructive Rest Position for 10-20 min., then try the lying psoas stretch I described above.
Sorry, my lower back feels like its been stretched after doing this stretch. What is the Constructive Rest Position?. Thanks for the microstretching article by the way 
Just lie on your back with your knees bent. It’s that simple. It’s a positional release technique that helps the muscle relax by removing tension on the muscle spindles, therefore allowing them to stop firing.
Flash, you’re a veritable goldmine of stretching related wisdom! 
I wish. I’ve had to learn stuff from a lot of sources to keep my body from turning into a pretzel. I’m always battling hypertonic muscles.
yes, but this -unfortunately for you and fortunately for us- has made you
“a veritable goldmine of stretching related wisdom!”
Much appreciated. I’m glad I could help someone.
I like this stretch! its also good if you bend to the side and slide your hand down the side of your leg as far as possible.
I’m going to try some sprints to help with power for throws. I will be stretching hip flexors twice a day using all the above stretches. I will let you know how I get on. At the moment I stretch them briefly before weights, just one stretch 10 secs each side does the trick.
WOW, I am surprised that with all of the stretching being advocated the most obvious one hasn’t even been mentioned!n The muscle group that should be stretched when having a tight lower back whilst sprinting is,
“THE LOWER BACK”!
If you aren’t very flexibile in this area or strong as well then you problems will continue. Most people have strong abs yet neglect their lower backs whilst others are strong in both these core areas yet they never stretch their backs like they do the other muscle groups!
A good stretch for the lower back is to,
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/md17jbig.jpg
http://www.muellercenter.rpi.edu/Stretching/Lower-back-and-hip-stretch.jpg
http://www.muellercenter.rpi.edu/Stretching/Lower-back-stretch.jpg
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After you stretch a very tight lower back, what will maintain the muscle in the stretched position?
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Don’t muscles have elastic properties and won’t that cause the muscle to simply return to its original position?
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Why would and athlete want a “loose back”?
Wouldn’t a “stable back” be better?
Just wondering?
TNT
Wouldn’t you be able to have a stable back being loose?
Stretching for 12-15 seconds is ok while stretching for a minute will cause the athlete to have to loose a back.
Going by your logic the athlete should not stretch his hamstrings either! A big mistake. Remember you are just stretching the athlete enough to prevent injury which I think is a must in high velocity sports.
I think TNT is referring to the fact that if you stretch to long you deaden the stretch-shortening cycle to a big degree or at least that’s my understanding of it. Also, I believe the back is in a supporting as well as active role in sprinting. At some times supporting at others its active.
I think this question is very important. The logic: “I have a tight low back -> I must stretch my low back” simply isn’t going to work. There is a reason for the shortening of the erector spinae muscle group in the low back region. I would suspect tight iliopsoas, perhaps also a kyphotic thoracic spine contributing. Flash gave some good advice. After you have had some release in the psoas try also doing some cobras (first on your elbows, then on straight arms) to open up your upper back also. The first stretch that Supervenom suggested is pretty good too when you concentrate on keeping the upper back in extension (chest out).
What is reciprocal inhibition, and how does affect “tight” muscles (the back in this case)?
Does it apply in this case?
TNT
Do you want stable hamstrings or loose hamstrings? “Train 'em as ya use 'em.”
TNT
Reciprocal-inhibition reflex means inhibition (relaxation) of the antagonist muscle when the muscle spindle of the agonist senses a stretch. For example when the muscle spindles of the quads are stretched (muscle contraction) the hamstrings are inhibited to allow meaningful movement (straightening of the knee).
Not sure how this would relate to chronic muscle tightness in healthy people (this reflex is affected in Parkinson’s for example).
So why wouldn’t you use the same protocol for getting the lower back to relax? Contract the antagonist muscle.
What technique is used to alleviate a cramp?
Stretch it and at the same time cotract the antagonist. Why wouldn’t this work for tight muscles?
TNT