Actually, this is how we should bend over and do stuff. Somehow, this is lost since we do this naturally when we are little. I have trained myself to do this since it is much easier on the back and legs than bending over and will prevent lower back injuries.
Whether this stretch is necessary to stretching structures such as the calves and such brings up the discussion of stretching and if stretching has any benefit whatsoever. An article by Ian Shrier MD in 2002 that was featured in physician and sports medicine finds that stretching does little to prevent sports injuries and has a benefit of about 60 minutes if that can be considered a benefit. Perhaps, stretching cannot work because we must understand what we are stretching and why. If the myofascia is tight and inhibiting muscular function, since fascia is not stretchable in the way most of us believe (disorganized bunching of fascia will inhibit movement and affect firing patterns, causing more tightened fascia from recruitment in other parts of the body), stretching really cannot work. Stretching is still fashionable among its die hard fans however, foam rollers can actually release fascia although non specifically since most people cannot be totally objective about what they are feeling.
A number of techniques can help remold fascia, which improves firing patterns, which reduces tightness. With this in mind, perhaps we need to redirect the thought process of this conversation to one of why I am I tight or tightening rather than what do I do about the tightness. This comes back to the idea of firing patterns and the way muscles work in combination with the fascial system and your body style.
Since body style is also a determinant of how fascia forms and functions, sometimes we need to Cheat Mother Nature (incidentally, the title of my book) by doing something that creates mechanical advantage in the body so the fascia is less likely to tighten inappropriately. This is why some people need alittle help and are not ideal as barefoot or shod runners. On the other hand, sometimes, the help of an insert in the shoe (orthotic), even in a minimalist shoe can make a huge difference in running style, efficiency and reduce injuries and ankle problems such as weakness.
I was open to what you had to say Backfixer, even after you started plugging your book even though I think its unwise to try and cheat mother nature and believe its futile to even try, you however lost me when you started talking about orthotics. You can't blah blah blah away functional movement.