Abstract
Given a free factor A of the rank n free group F_n, we characterize when the subgroup of Out(F_n) that stabilizes the conjugacy class of A is distorted in Out(F_n). We also prove that the image of the natural embedding of Aut(F_{n-1}) in Aut(F_n) is nondistorted, that the stabilizer in Out(F_n) of the conjugacy class of any free splitting of F_n is nondistorted, and we characterize when the stabilizer of the conjugacy class of an arbitrary free factor system of F_n is distorted. In all proofs of nondistortion, we prove the stronger statement that the subgroup in question is a Lipschitz retract. As applications we determine Dehn functions and automaticity for Out(F_n) and Aut(F_n).
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