Stretches to help improve flexibility

Maintaining and gaining flexibility decreases risk of injury from sports or basic activities in life. (Even something as simple as picking up our children). Keep in mind that it does not mean you cannot get injured. Things like proper form and speed and stability also plays a big roll.

Benefits of flexibility training

When joints are not moved through a full range of motion due to inactivity, they adapt to this position by shortening, which decreases flexibility.

Poor flexibility decreases the body’s ability to maintain proper posture. It limits proper joint motion, and increases the risk for low back pain, joint pain, and injury during everyday activities.

So what are the benefits?

• Decreases stress
• Decreases nots in muscles
• Decreases general aches and pains
• Decreases anxiety
• Decreases high blood pressure
• Decreases muscle cramps
• Increases joint range of motion
• Relieves joint stress
• Improves elasticity of muscles and connective tissue
• Improves elasticity of muscles and connective tissue
• Improves neuromuscular efficiency
• Improves overall function required during daily chores and recreational activities.

Flexibility refers to the range of movement in a joint or series of joints, and length in muscles that cross the joints to induce a bending movement or motion. This is different for everyone, especially when it comes to differences in muscle length of multi-joint muscles.

It is important to include this type of training as part of your  regular fitness routines. It can lead to enhanced performance in aerobic training and muscular conditioning.

There is scientific evidence that injury could decrease when people include flexibility training in to their routines. Simply due to the enhanced ability to move unimpeded through a wider Range Of Motion.

The only exception to this would be when there is an excessive or unstable ROM, this may increase the chances of injury.

When used correctly, flexibility training allows you to become more in tune with your body. It is a form of active relaxation that can improve both mental and physical recovery.

Happy flexing.