Flexibility

Flexibility or suppleness has many benefits

1. Stretching gets you ready to work – important part of a warm up

2. Better performance – you can’t do some sports without being flexible. Gymnastics for example. It can also make you more efficient in sports like swimming and hurdles.

3. Fewer injuries – the more flexible you are, the less likely you are to pull or strain a muscle.

4. Better posture – bad posture can lead to deformity of the spine, as well as straining the back and abdominal muscles. It can also impair breathing.

There are 2 ways to improve your flexibility

• Active stretching – you stretch your muscles slowly and gently. Don’t bounce as it can damage muscle fibres
• Passive stretching – a partner stretches your muscles.