subject: The Benefits of Flexibility Training [print this page] The Benefits of Flexibility Training The Benefits of Flexibility Training
Flexibility training encompasses stretching that enhances a joint's ability to move through an entire range of motion. It can also help balance out muscles that may be overworked during exercise. The benefits of stretching and flexibility training are vast and we are going to discuss them in more detail.
Decreased Risk of Injury:
Your flexibility directly relates to your physical performance allowing you to have a greater range of motion while using less energy. This also helps decrease your risk of injury by decreasing the resistance in surrounding tissue. This not only will positively affect your day-to-day life, but can help you push further and harder in your other workouts to help push yourself to the limits.
Reduced DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness):
After working out, taking the time to thoroughly stretch will help elongate all muscles which naturally shorten after exercise. As you continue to become more flexible, you will find that muscle soreness decreases. Be sure to include static stretching, where you hold individual stretches for a period of between 15 30 seconds in the full range of motion. For this to happen, attempt to stretch not only after workouts but after brief bursts of cardiovascular activity as well.
Gain Strength and Endurance:
Recent studies have shown that regular stretching can help improve strength and muscular endurance by up to 30%. Those who followed no set exercise routine but performed 40 minutes of static stretching three times per week found they were making remarkable gains.
Improved Posture:
Practicing flexibility training also promotes realignment of soft tissue structures and strengthens muscles lining the spinal column to help improve posture. This alone can improve your daily activities by keeping tension to a minimum.
Increased Circulation:
Flexibility training helps increase circulation and muscle temperature, allowing more nutrients and blood to pump into the muscles. This will help remove metabolic waste more quickly and promote muscle growth. This also will promote an increased amount of elasticity of the muscles. Another benefit of stretching is that it increases joint synovial fluid, which helps lubricate the joint and promotes a greater range of motion.
Reduced Risk of Lower Back Pain:
Regular stretching and flexibility training promotes muscle relaxation and can lower your risk of chronic lower back pain.
As is shown with all the above benefits, flexibility training is an often underestimated routine.
