Flexibility & Mobility: The Importance of Stretching

Flexibility & mobility are key components of fitness which are trained through practicing moving your body's joints & their surrounding muscles through their full range of movement. This is also known as stretching, an activity which has been observed as instinctive and which is often performed unconsciously. As with many aspects of health, once again balance is key as too little or too much can be detrimental to health & quality of life.

Stretching is an activity which I'm sure many of us feel we should do more of. As we all know, our bodies are amazing at adapting to our routines so, unfortunately, if you are practicing a regular sedentary lifestyle or uneven strengthening, this can create muscular imbalances which can lead to poor posture, weak muscles, & joint pain & stiffness, a sign of poor flexibility.

There are a variety of ways to train flexibility and it all begins with regular movement. Specifically stretching, muscular strengthening, and eccentric muscular contractions (lengthening muscular contractions), are all useful tools to develop your flexibility. If you are looking for solutions for specific issues, it's important to conduct research and consult an expert before implementing any specific routines.

Some top tips for making positive developments to flexibility

• If you can help it, don't stay in the same position & posture for too long - regular movement is always positive for flexibility and mobility

• Movement around the hips & shoulders is key, they are the centre of your kinetic chain

• Stretching doesn't have to be uncomfortable or hold your full attention, you can use techniques to maximise comfort while getting on with your life

Some useful ways to train flexibility

• Attend a regular exercise class - yoga classes focus on flexibility

• Participate in an online exercise video

• Build them into your everyday health routine

TBC

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This health guide was written by Jamie Pickett, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Health Facilitator, & Founder of My Movement Medicine.

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