The Benefits of Flexibility Stretching

You should do flexibility stretching whether or not you are preparing for sports or other vigorous activities. Stretching exercises should be a daily regimen for anybody who wants to live a healthy life.

The benefits of flexibility stretching are overwhelming in terms of health and wellness:

1. Flexibility plays a critical role in physical movement and physical performance of an individual. Firstly, it improves neuromuscular coordination by shortening the time of transmission of brain-to-muscle messages. Secondly, with flexibility, there is less tissue resistance, and hence less energy to complete range of movement (ROM).

2. Flexibility stretching can avoid accidents, falls, and injuries. With less muscular and tissue resistance, and improved body balance, there is a reduced chance of falling or getting injuries during movements.

3. Flexibility exercises improve resting muscle tension to provide better awareness and postural balance - an essential component of correct breathing. How to breathe right is critical to healthy living.

4. Flexibility fitness enhances the quality of the protective lubricant for joint movement. Better range of movement (ROM) provides more blood supply and nutrients to the lubricant, the decline of which leads to degeneration of joint structures and hence arthritic conditions.

5. Flexibility stretching increases lumbar and pelvic movements through elongating the hamstrings, hip flexors, gluteals, and lumbar muscles. The elongation can alleviate lower back pain.

Flexibility stretching is a great asset to health and fitness. The amount of flexibility required depends on the activity level of an individual. However, excessive range of movement (ROM) without adequate muscle strength may be detrimental in that it increases the effect of degenerative disease and reduces the protective reflexes designed to avoid excessive movement.

Do flexibility stretching exercises appropriately and live long!

Stephen Lau

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom