Benefits of Stretching

This few paragraphs are taken from chapter two of the book Faster Flexibility.

    Preventing a loss in range of motion should not be the only reason why one would undertake in a regular flexibility program. There are many physical benefits that come with a stretching program designed to increase a muscle groups range of motion. Increased strength, agility and physical awareness are but a few of the associated benefits. After understanding how a stretching program aids the body in so many way, one can notice the effects taking place as their flexibility develops.

Increased Speed and Agility

    Working towards developing a greater level of flexibility will result in decreased muscle tension throughout the body. Muscles work in pairs. The triceps must relax, in order for the biceps to contract. How rapidly the biceps can contract, is somewhat dependent on how rapidly the triceps can relax. This is how a reduced muscle tension can help to increase the overall contraction speed of a muscle group.

Increased Strength and Power

    Physical training refers to power, as a measure of strength times speed. The faster a muscle can contract, the faster it can move a given weight a specific distance. This is a direct increase in a muscles ability to output power. If time is not a factor in moving the object, then the weight of the object and the distance it moved, is a direct measure of the physical strength of the involved muscle group.

     Every movement has its own specific strength curve. This is a plot or graph of the force a muscle group exerts throughout the movement. Strength curves show that a muscle is weakest while in its fully extended positions and strongest in its fully contracted position. Poor flexibility in the muscle limits its ability to enter into its fully extended position, in turn hindering its ability to contract with force. Increased flexibility diminishes the hindering of the muscle and in turn, results in an increased strength curve for the movement involving the muscle in question. An increase in strength is one of the first benefits noticed by an individual, who has not before engaged in a regularly scheduled stretching program.

Increased Physical Awareness

    As stated previously, regular stretching will help to reduce muscle tension. This will aid the connection between the muscular skeletal system and the nervous system, through the reduction of the inefficient firing of neurons. This is a response from physical conditioning. Physical awareness is also developed through mental conditioning. Proper flexibility training requires concentrating on the muscle being stretched, while holding the stretched position. Over time, this practiced concentration strengthens the mental connection between the nervous system and muscular skeletal system, eventually reaching a level unprecedented. Muscular control becomes intensified and the ability to learn complex physical movements is heightened.

Correct Muscular Imbalances

     Once again, muscles work in pairs. Correct posture is the number one most critical factor to a healthy structure. Muscular imbalances cause muscle pairs to work against each other instead of with each other. This leads to dangerous health problems, especially for those involved with anaerobic exercise. Impingement within the joints, lower back problems and neck pains to name just a few, are all common ailments directly associated with muscular imbalance. Chronic shoulder, back and knee injuries, can all begin rehabilitation by restoring muscular balance to the whole body, through a dedicated stretching program.

Helps to Prevent Injuries

    It goes without say that accidents occur most unexpectedly and without warning. A twisted ankle, or a hyper extended wrist are both injuries that can be prevented by increasing flexibility around the joints. This holds true for some of the most common injuries of a similar nature. Sprains, twists and pulls do not occur unless the muscle or connective tissue is brought past its flexibility extreme. It becomes obvious that increased range of motion, can decrease chance of injury to the joints and surrounding tissues.

    Aside from the physical benefits from engaging in a stretching program, there are characteristics which make flexibility training suitable for modern lifestyles. Stretching is a mild exercise and at the same time it can also be made intense. There are very few people who are not physically fit enough to begin stretching. It takes little time and does not require special attire, nor does it require a long cool down. Stretching routines do not require any equipment more specialized then a floor to stand on and are easily tailored to suit the specific needs of the individual. Stretching is probably one of the single most important exercises to be considered and at the same time so accessible to everyone.