BENEFITS OF FLEXIBILITY TRAINING

Muscle imbalances occur when some muscles become short or tight, and other muscles become long and weak. Imbalances are created when muscles surrounding a joint change in length. One muscle may become tight and it's opposing muscle becomes long and weak.

Flexibility training is a key component for all training programs. It is used for a variety of reasons including:

~ increasing joint range of motion
~ relieving joint stress
~ improving elasticity of muscles and connective tissue

WHY IS CORRECTIVE FLEXIBILITY SO IMPORTANT?

If you don't do your flexibility before activating the muscle, you will only strengthen the muscle within the ROM [range of motion ] you have [ which isn't optimal ]. Where you need to strengthen the muscle is within the ROM that you do not have [ which has been lost ]. If you don't strengthen the muscle through the ROM you lost, it isn't there, so you wont use it and it will stay weak and allow for reciprocal inhibition to occur.For example: An overactive hip flexor like the psoas will decrease gluteus maximus acitivity. This leads to synergistic dominace to also occur. An example of this is - Synergistically dominant hamstrings during hip extension while possessing weak or inhibited glutes. This will lead to compensation, further deconditioning, and potentially injury.

FLEXIBILITY TRAINING LIMITS THE CHANCES OF THE CUMULATIVE INJURY CYCLE TO TAKE EFFECT.

Muscular imbalance---> Synergistic dominance---> Altered neuromuscular control---> THIS LEADS TO altered reciprocal inhibition, arthrokinetic dysfunction, and tissue fatique.

Look At these Benefits of Flexibility Training:

--Increased ROM
--Decreased muscle stiffness
--Increases neuromuscular efficiency
--Decreases compensation patterns
--May help to increase: balance, coordination, strength, and power
--Decreased risk of injury

Don't underestimate the importance of flexibility training not only before and after a workout, but in your daily life as well. There is no reason to set yourself up for injury if you can prevent it- right?

Hugs&Health
Bernadette