Flexibility ...where does it fit into the physical fitness scheme? Surely the two must go hand-in-hand, after all the fit seem also to be flexible. And me, I am not fit and I can attest to the fact that I am not terribly flexible. Simple everyday activities such as bending to look for books on a low shelf, climbing up on a chair or reaching around behind my back all point to the difference. It was not that long ago, I was strong and sure-footed and taking it all for granted.
I was hoping to share some specific information about the health benefits of flexibility but, I did not find anything detailed or extensive that ties flexibility to any specific aspects of health. There was a study that discusses stiffness of body being associated with hardening of the arteries, but it was not well documented or substantiated. Here is a link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/166574.php; see what you think.
I found a Mayo Clinic article (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stretching/HQ01447) that states that flexibility will improve athletic performance and decrease the risk of activity-based injuries. Neither of those are high on the list of events likely to occur in MY life - though they might be on yours!
An article on WebMD (http://www.webmd.com/balance/the-health-benefits-of-yoga) tells that stretching releases lactic acid from muscles. Now, that sounds like a benefit I'd like to reap. This article was on the topic of the health benefits of yoga. Don't be surprised to see some thoughts on yoga appearing here some time soon.
The thought of flexibility crossed my mind when I started thinking about measurements and ways to evaluate general fitness. I remembered long ago having a fitness evaluation at the Y that included a measurement of flexibility. So, I looked around online for information about flexibility and how to measure it. Learning to measure your flexibility will take a few minutes of reading. In the fitness world, there is a specific device that is used to measure flexibility, but you can probably get a good approximation using a ruler or measuring tape. Here are a couple of sites that include instructions for assessing your flexibility.
http://www.health24.com/fitness/calcs/flex.asp
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/SM00086
http://www.topendsports.com/testing/flex.htm
http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/flexibilitytests.html
This measurement requires a 5 or 10 minute warm up. Why not make it fun? Put on some great music and spend the time dancing.
I was hoping to share some specific information about the health benefits of flexibility but, I did not find anything detailed or extensive that ties flexibility to any specific aspects of health. There was a study that discusses stiffness of body being associated with hardening of the arteries, but it was not well documented or substantiated. Here is a link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/166574.php; see what you think.
I found a Mayo Clinic article (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stretching/HQ01447) that states that flexibility will improve athletic performance and decrease the risk of activity-based injuries. Neither of those are high on the list of events likely to occur in MY life - though they might be on yours!
An article on WebMD (http://www.webmd.com/balance/the-health-benefits-of-yoga) tells that stretching releases lactic acid from muscles. Now, that sounds like a benefit I'd like to reap. This article was on the topic of the health benefits of yoga. Don't be surprised to see some thoughts on yoga appearing here some time soon.
The thought of flexibility crossed my mind when I started thinking about measurements and ways to evaluate general fitness. I remembered long ago having a fitness evaluation at the Y that included a measurement of flexibility. So, I looked around online for information about flexibility and how to measure it. Learning to measure your flexibility will take a few minutes of reading. In the fitness world, there is a specific device that is used to measure flexibility, but you can probably get a good approximation using a ruler or measuring tape. Here are a couple of sites that include instructions for assessing your flexibility.
http://www.health24.com/fitness/calcs/flex.asp
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/SM00086
http://www.topendsports.com/testing/flex.htm
http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/flexibilitytests.html
This measurement requires a 5 or 10 minute warm up. Why not make it fun? Put on some great music and spend the time dancing.
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