Flexibility and Stretching

  • Flexibility may help to:
    • Improve your joint range of motion and athletic performance
    • Lower the risk of activity-based injuries
  • More research is needed, but stretching out muscles and joints routinely used in work and play may help:
    • Promote more freedom of movement
    • Improve posture
    • Reduce muscle tension and soreness (which may improve performance)
    • Promote relaxation (both mental and physical)
Stretching Tips for Success
  • Avoid stretching cold muscles
    • Warm up with some light jogging or walking for 10-15 minutes before stretching out
  • Hold the stretch
    • Stretch major muscle groups like calves, thighs, back, neck, and shoulders for at least 30 seconds for maximum benefits
  • Listen to your body
    • Feeling tension is normal, but hold back if anything starts to hurt
  • Keep it up!
    • Aim to stretch 2-3 times per week
Want to learn more? Download Flexibility and Stretching Basics.
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/stretching/art-20047931
https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/professional/expert-articles/6387/10-reasons-why-you-should-be-stretching
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/stretching/sls-20076525?s=8