Flexibility: A Component of Fitness
Flexibility is a measure of the range of motion (R.O.M) of a joint. This range will depend on several factors such as anatomical limitations, joint usage, injury and muscular tightness. As a component of fitness, your flexibility can be developed by integrating regular stretching in your workout regime.
Factors Affecting Flexibility:
Inherent Factors: Each of us are physically unique through out genetic makeup. Accordingly, factors such as skeletal structure and joint pliability and length will dictate the upper limit of your flexibility at birth, regardless of exercise.
Physical Activity & Lifestyle: Through frequent exercise and activities that involve a wide range of motion, you can avoid the stiffness and loss of mobility that accompanies a sedentary lifestyle.
Injuries: Pain, scar tissue, swelling and/or immobilization due to an injury can severely hinder your range of motion around a joint. Proper rehabilitation and stretching must be taken in order to repair muscle ligaments and tendons and restore joint flexibility.
Muscle Extensibility: Intuitively, how much your muscles can stretch is directly correlated to joint movement and flexbility. Tight muscles mean a limited range of motion, while lengthened muscles enable greater movement. A consistent exercise schedule that includes stretching will influence your overall flexbility. At the same time, muscles become more extensible through a proper warm-up, which increases body temperature and blood flow. Thus, you minimize the risk injury by performing a warmp-up routine prior to your workout, ensuring that your muscles are loose and have a full range of movement around your joints.
Benefits of Flexibility
- Ease muscle tension and physical stress
- Relieve lower back pain
- Minimize risk of injury
- Helps develop proper posture
- Enhance physical performance
- Improve air and blood circulation
- Mentally and spiritually gratifying
Related Pages:
Physiology of Stretching - Learn the mechanics of fexilibty training and how it contributes to your fitness.
Stretching Methods - Learn how to stretch effectively and properly.
Flexibility Training - Learn how to setup a fitness regime that incorporates stretching.
