Stretching Flexibility

• Types of Stretching: (next chapter)
• Physiology of Stretching: (previous chapter)

Flexibility is defined by Gummerson as "the absolute range of movement in a joint or series of joints that is attainable in a momentary effort with the help of a partner or a piece of equipment." This definition tells us that flexibility is not something general but is specific to a particular joint or set of joints. In other words, it is a myth that some people are innately flexible throughout their entire body. Being flexible in one particular area or joint does not necessarily imply being flexible in another. Being "loose" in the upper body does not mean you will have a "loose" lower body. Furthermore, according to SynerStretch, flexibility in a joint is also "specific to the action performed at the joint (the ability to do front splits doesn't imply the ability to do side splits even though both actions occur at the hip)."

• Types of Flexibility
• Factors Limiting Flexibility
• Strength and Flexibility
• Overflexibility
• Factors Limiting Flexibility: (next section)
• Flexibility: (beginning of chapter)

Many people are unaware of the fact that there are different types of flexibility. These different types of flexibility are grouped according to the various types of activities involved in athletic training. The ones which involve motion are called dynamic and the ones which do not are called static. The different types of flexibility (according to Kurz) are:

dynamic flexibility

Dynamic flexibility (also called kinetic flexibility) is the ability to perform dynamic (or kinetic) movements of the muscles to bring a limb through its full range of motion in the joints.

static-active flexibility

Static-active flexibility (also called active flexibility) is the ability to assume and maintain extended positions using only the tension of the agonists and synergists while the antagonists are being stretched (see section Cooperating Muscle Groups). For example, lifting the leg and keeping it high without any external support (other than from your own leg muscles).

static-passive flexibility

Static-passive flexibility (also called passive flexibility) is the ability to assume extended positions and then maintain them using only your weight, the support of your limbs, or some other apparatus (such as a chair or a barre). Note that the ability to maintain the position does not come solely from your muscles, as it does with static-active flexibility. Being able to perform the splits is an example of static-passive flexibility.

Research has shown that active flexibility is more closely related to the level of sports achievement than is passive flexibility. Active flexibility is harder to develop than passive flexibility (which is what most people think of as "flexibility"); not only does active flexibility require passive flexibility in order to assume an initial extended position, it also requires muscle strength to be able to hold and maintain that position.

• Strength and Flexibility: (next section)
• Types of Flexibility: (previous section)
• Flexibility: (beginning of chapter)

According to Gummerson, flexibility (he uses the term mobility) is affected by the following factors:

• Internal influences
  • the type of joint (some joints simply aren't meant to be flexible)
  • the internal resistance within a joint
  • bony structures which limit movement
  • the elasticity of muscle tissue (muscle tissue that is scarred due to a previous injury is not very elastic)
  • the elasticity of tendons and ligaments (ligaments do not stretch much and tendons should not stretch at all)
  • the elasticity of skin (skin actually has some degree of elasticity, but not much)
  • the ability of a muscle to relax and contract to achieve the greatest range of movement
  • the temperature of the joint and associated tissues (joints and muscles offer better flexibility at body temperatures that are 1 to 2 degrees higher than normal)
• External influences
  • the temperature of the place where one is training (a warmer temperature is more conducive to increased flexibility)
  • the time of day (most people are more flexible in the afternoon than in the morning, peaking from about 2:30pm-4pm)
  • the stage in the recovery process of a joint (or muscle) after injury (injured joints and muscles will usually offer a lesser degree of flexibility than healthy ones)
  • age (pre-adolescents are generally more flexible than adults)
  • gender (females are generally more flexible than males)
  • one's ability to perform a particular exercise (practice makes perfect)
  • one's commitment to achieving flexibility
  • the restrictions of any clothing or equipment

Some sources also the suggest that water is an important dietary element with regard to flexibility. Increased water intake is believed to contribute to increased mobility, as well as increased total body relaxation.

Rather than discuss each of these factors in significant detail as Gummerson does, I will attempt to focus on some of the more common factors which limit one's flexibility. According to SynerStretch, the most common factors are: bone structure, muscle mass, excess fatty tissue, and connective tissue (and, of course, physical injury or disability).

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