Does It Matter To Your Brain (And Results) What Your Objective Is? You Bet It Does!
When you think about stretching, it may be useful instead to think about controlled range of motion. The further you can move in training, the further you are likely able to move when it matters.
From your brain’s perspective, trying to stretch muscles is very different from trying to reach for a target. When your overall goal is to try to increase your range of motion, try to find a target to reach for and see what difference that makes to your controlled range of motion.