FLEXIBILITY is the capacity of a joint or muscle to move through its full range of motion. It should do so without pain,
snags or forcing it. Full body flexibility is moving fluidly through all ranges of motion without restriction. This flexibility allows us to perform all primal movement patterns without limitation – squat, hinge, lunge, push, pull, twist, crawl, walk, run, hang, swing, throw. If we cannot perform these movements, it may either be a coordination problem (neural drive), a flexibility problem (tight muscles/joints) or a strength deficit (weak muscles).
While new research is coming out all the time on stretching, most research supports
that it:
- Increases range of motion.
- Increases blood flow to the muscles.
- Can decrease pain from an injury.
- Desensitizes the muscles to pain.
- May decrease your risk of injury. When your muscles are flexible, you are less likely
to be come injured during physical activity.