16 September 2014
Flexibility is probably the most overlooked and under rated component of fitness. Without the appropriate levels of flexibility we compromise our movement, making it less efficient and miss out on training vital ranges of motion in our bodies. Restricted flexibility opens us up to compensatory movement patterns and increased risk of injury. If we do not train the body to work through full ranges of movement, what happens when life dictates we go there? Reduced performance and injury.
Injuries aside, the length tension relationships of our muscles affect their ability to generate force and shortened muscles distort posture by pulling our bones and joints out of shape (lordosis anyone?). This can have a knock-on effect on the nervous system (a major control mechanism), further reducing function, proprioception, muscle force development and increasing injury potential.
Therefore, to be as strong, fast and fit as our bodies could be, we must ensure flexibility is addressed and the body is working efficiently. What if you could improve your strength, power and endurance without training at higher intensities and busting your gut, but simply by applying appropriate flexibility training to your programme? The good news is most of us can.
There are many forms of flexibility training including static, dynamic, PNF and ballistic. What works best is specific to the individual, but generally speaking you should stretch the body in positions that resemble those which are restricted, or the movement you want to improve, and include some dynamic work. There is a difference between what our bodies can achieve in a static position and when movement is required.
As long as you are safe in your approach, any flexibility training is better than doing nothing, so chose an approach and exercises you are competent in performing and get stretching. If you require more help to achieve results, visit a fitness professional who can assess limitations, identify the correct areas to be stretched, methods to be applied and teach you how to maintain your own body.