LONG TERM EFFECTS OF INFLEXIBILITY

WHAT IS FLEXIBILITY?

You hear people talk about being flexible and inflexible but do you actually know what that means?

Flexibility is the range of motion in a joint or group of joints or the ability to move joints effectively through a complete range of motion. 

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on physical activity and health, flexibility is defined as ” a health-related component of physical fitness that relates to the range of motion available at a joint.”

When this health and range of motion decreases we become inflexible. Reflect back to how you used to move 5, 10, 15 years ago…was it easier? If the answer is yes then you have lost some flexibility.

RANGE OF MOTION

The range of motion each part of your body has can also determine how flexible or inflexible you are. Each joint and each group of muscles in your body might have a different range of motion (ROM) or a different level of flexibility. If areas of your body feel very tight, your muscles will feel short and restricted.

Some areas of your body may feel very loose and you may be able to lengthen and move those muscles freely.​ Perhaps this is your hamstrings, your shoulders or your hips.

While other areas of your body might feel restricted and tight. You might be able to touch your toes really easily but going into a backbend might be really difficult.

This is telling you your ROM isn’t balanced through the body.

3 TYPES OF STRETCHING THAT CAN HELP INFLEXIBILITY

• Static Stretching: This style of stretching moves you into a position that lengthens a target muscle. This works best if you hold the position for at least 60 seconds. You want to remember to breathe as you hold each stretch, slow exhales
• Dynamic Stretching: This style of stretching has you move in and out of a position that lengthens a target muscle. Dynamic stretching involves moving through a joint’s full range of motion (ROM) either slowly or quickly to mimic a functional activity (walking, running, getting up or down).
• Active Isolated Stretching (AIS): This style of stretching has you move your joint through a complete range of motion, holding the endpoint only briefly, then return to the starting point and repeat. Athletes and active exercisers use active isolated stretching to prevent injuries or muscle imbalance.

WHAT ARE THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF INFLEXIBILITY

When we don’t continue to work on our mobility, flexibility and range of motion we find moving, day to day activities and sports more difficult. 

• injury 
• limited movement
• unbalanced muscles 
• strength loss
• abnormal stress on tissues
• tendonitis 
• osteoarthritis 
• poor posture
• loss of confidence