Flexibility is a vital component of our physical fitness and in laymans terms refers to the amount we can reach, bend and turn – important in both everyday activity and when playing sport. Did you realise that as well as being a major contributor to joint pain and stiffness, tight muscles can also lead to reduced blood circulation, reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscle and impairing its performance and stamina? This in turn leads to muscle fatigue and limits the muscles ability to recover from exercise. All of this greatly increases your chance of injury. So what is the solution?
STRETCHING!
Sounds simple, but what is it and where do you start? Stretching will work by lengthening the muscles and other soft tissues, leading to improved in the range of movement, increased power, reduced post exercise soreness and fatigue. Added benefits of stretching also include improved posture, greater body awareness, improved co-ordination, increased energy and improvements in relaxation and stress levels.
However, stretching incorrectly can be harmful, like trying to pull a brittle elastic band! For more advice on the correct way to stretch please call into the centre and arrange an appointment with one of our Sports and Remedial therapists.
