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Healthypedia

Why Is Flexibility Important?

Flexibility plays a vital role in helping us to perform daily tasks, such as walking a flight of stairs or picking up groceries.

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What is flexibility?

Flexibility refers to your muscle’s ability to stretch through the full range of motion without feeling pain or discomfort. Like an elastic band, the more flexible your muscles are, the easier they stretch.1,2

Why is flexibility so important?

While most gym goers think about being flexible as something that’s only important for yoga, it actually plays a vital role in our day-to-day functioning, including performing basic tasks like lifting, pulling, and walking.3

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Static flexibility is the capacity to produce a full range of motion without movement, like performing a split on the floor, and dynamic flexibility, which involves producing full range of motion during movements, like a gymnast doing a split in the air.4

How to improve your flexibility?

Improving flexibility can be beneficial at any age, though various factors, such as age, sex, joint structure, activity level, and tissue injury, can affect your flexibility levels.4

1) Begin with a foam roller to loosen tight muscles. It can be as effective as regular stretching when performed daily.5

2) Incorporate dynamic stretching in your warm-up routine by moving your muscles and joints through their full range of motion.5

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3) Develop a consistent stretching program that includes resistance stretching, where you contract the muscles as you elongate them. This can lead to substantial and lasting improvements in flexibility.1

4) Focus on both sides of the body when stretching to correct muscle imbalances and improve body balance.2

5) Persist with your flexibility training, understanding that flexibility can improve at any age, but the rate of improvement might vary depending on individual factors.4

Possible precautions when working on your flexibility

Avoid overstretching. Always listen to your body and ensure you feel comfortable during stretching exercises. Overstretching could lead to injury.3

Let your body lead you when choosing stretching or strengthening moves. If you feel you’re straining, reassess what you’re doing.3

Ensure to resist throughout the movements. If you’re unable to resist maximally, you are likely overstretching.3


Healthypedia FAQ

Flexibility refers to your muscle’s ability to stretch through the full range of motion without feeling pain or discomfort.

Static flexibility is the capacity to produce a full range of motion without movement, like performing a split on the floor.

Dynamic flexibility is the capacity to produce full range of motion during movements, like a gymnast doing a split in the air.

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