Final answer:
The Contract-Relax method involves an isometric contraction of the antagonist muscle to facilitate increased muscle length for improved flexibility. It takes advantage of the muscle's length-tension relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of stretching that facilitates an increase in muscle length through a maximum isometric contraction of the antagonist is the Contract-Relax (CR) method. During the CR method, the target muscle is lengthened and then the antagonist muscle is contracted isometrically.
This isometric contraction involves increasing muscle tension without shortening the muscle (isometric contraction), followed by a relaxation phase which allows the muscle to be stretched further, thus aiding in increased flexibility. By using an isometric contraction, where muscle length remains constant but tension increases, it engages the antagonist muscle, after which the muscle is relaxed and can be stretched further than before.
This technique plays on the length-tension relationship of the muscle, allowing the muscle to achieve a greater range of motion after the isometric phase. It's important to remember that during isometric exercises, the joint angle does not change, but during isotonic contractions, it does as the muscle changes length.