What is Flexibility?
One definition is “a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements”
I underlined the word ‘ready’ as I’m sure everyone has experienced those days where bending down to pick up something has taken a little bit longer than it usually does! And as we age, those occurrences tend to creep into our everyday lives e.g. putting on socks or shoes.
Another definition is “the ability of a joint or series of joints to move through an unrestricted, pain free range of motion”
Although flexibility varies widely from person to person, minimum ranges are necessary for maintaining joint and total body health. Many variables affect the loss of normal joint flexibility including injury, inactivity or a lack of stretching
Inadequate flexibility will have a negative effect on the body in 3 significant ways:
- Joints require movement through a full range of motion to maintain the health of cartilage and other structures within the joint with increased blood supply and nutrients. This effect can be particularly noticeable in weight bearing joints such as the hips and knees.
- Muscles that are inflexible tire more quickly, causing opposing muscle groups to work harder. Muscle fatigue can lead to muscular injuries and the inability of the muscles to protect joints from more severe injuries. For example, the hamstrings play a role in stabilizing the knee and preventing ACL tears.
- Decreased flexibility may also lead to abnormal stress on structures and tissues distant from the initial site of inflexibility. One example of this is that tendonitis in the knee can be related to calf tightness.
Benefits of a regular stretching routine
- Enhanced performance
- Decreased risk of injury
- Increased blood supply and nutrients to joint structures
- Increased neuromuscular coordination
- Reduced muscular tightness and increased joint mobility
At JCFit, we prepare you physically and mentally to successfully adapt to a dynamic world of life, whether you are training, competing or just living. Optimal adaptation requires strength, mobility, range of motion, balance, speed, agility, endurance and a determined will to push your limits. Functional fitness is flexibility training at its best. If you are unsure how to get started, book a No Sweat Intro with one of our coaches today and we’ll help you create a plan to stay flexible and strong!
