Reduced injury risk, pain relief, better circulation: Maintaining flexibility is key to overall health

Flexibility might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about health and fitness, but it’s one of the most important aspects of maintaining your body’s overall wellbeing.

Simply put, flexibility is all about how easily your muscles and joints can stretch and move. Even simple, everyday movements such as reaching up to grab something from a high shelf or bending down to tie your shoes require a certain level of flexibility.

Flexibility is crucial for keeping your body in top shape – playing a big role in your overall health and the way your body functions daily. Here are just some of the ways it is important – and tips for how to maintain your own flexibility:

Prevent injuries

One of the biggest benefits of being flexible is reducing your risk of injuries – including muscle strains and sprains.

Think about athletes who stretch regularly. It’s not just for show. Stretching keeps their muscles pliable and ready for action, which lowers the chances of getting hurt during a workout or competition.

Even if you’re not an athlete, staying flexible can help you avoid those dreaded injuries that can occur during daily life. Studies show that regular stretching can significantly reduce the risk of injuries, especially in older adults. Stretching makes muscle tendon units (where muscle meets the tendon) more flexible, which helps muscles resist over-stretching – leading to fewer injuries.

To reap the benefits of flexibility training and improve joint health, it’s recommended you regularly stretch three times a week – holding each stretch you do for 10-60 seconds.

Balance and posture

Noticed how sitting at a desk all day can leave you feeling stiff and hunched over? Flexibility exercises can help with that. Stretching keeps your muscles long and loose, helping you maintain better posture and balance in the long run.

This is especially important as we get older, since poor posture can lead to falls and other injuries. Research suggests that flexibility training can improve alignment and posture, reducing the likelihood of falls and helping you move with more confidence.

Enhanced performance

Whether you’re playing a sport, going for a run, or just trying to keep up with your kids, flexibility can make a big difference in how you perform.

Flexible muscles allow for a greater range of motion, which makes it easier to perform movements that require strength, speed and agility. Research shows the reason stretching improves athletic performance is because it increases muscle efficiency and reduces risk of overuse injuries.

Muscle tension, pain

In today’s world, many of us spend too much time sitting, which can lead to tight muscles and chronic pain – particularly in the back and neck . Flexibility exercises, such as stretching or yoga, can help alleviate this tension. These activities lengthen your muscles and improve blood flow, helping to relieve discomfort and prevent chronic pain from developing.

Studies have shown that stretching at least three times a week is effective in reducing muscle tension and easing pain – especially in areas prone to tightness, such as the lower back and shoulders.

Improved circulation

Good circulation is essential for overall health – and flexibility exercises can help improve this.

When you stretch, you increase blood flow to your muscles, which helps them recover faster and stay healthy. Improved circulation also benefits your heart and can help prevent long-term health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease.

Research indicates that regular flexibility exercises, particularly stretching, can boost your circulation and contribute to better cardiovascular health.

Improving flexibility

To improve flexibility, you need to stretch.

There are a few different stretching techniques. The most recognisable is static stretching, where you hold a particular position for a brief period (usually 10-60 seconds).

Dynamic stretching, on the other hand, uses controlled movement or momentum to stretch muscles – and is typically performed a few times. The leg swing is a good example of a dynamic stretch. Yoga and Pilates are also forms of flexibility training that have a strength element.

Flexibility isn’t just for the young or athletic. It’s something everyone can benefit from – and can also be improved no matter your age.

Children adolescents

Kids are naturally more flexible – but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t work on their flexibility. Yoga, dance and active play can all help children and teens maintain and improve their flexibility. These activities aren’t only fun, they also promote overall physical development, coordination and balance.

Adults

As we get older, we need to be more intentional about staying flexible.

Try incorporating a stretching routine into your day. Even a quick morning stretch or yoga session can make a big difference. Yoga and Pilates are particularly effective because they combine flexibility with strength, helping you maintain your fitness overall.

Adults are recommended to stretch at least two-to-three times per week, holding each stretch for 10-60 seconds to stretch the major muscle groups. Ideally, this should happen when your muscles are warm to gain the most benefit.

Regular flexibility exercises will also help you maintain good joint health as you age.

Older adults

For older adults, flexibility is crucial for maintaining mobility and independence.

Gentle stretching exercises, such as chair yoga, are great options for improving flexibility without putting too much strain on the body. These exercises can also prevent stiffness, which is common as we age. Research also shows older adults who regularly stretch have a lower risk of falls and better quality of life. Older adults should also aim to stretch 2-3 times weekly.

So, whether you’re young or old, staying flexible is key to enjoying an active, pain-free life. Even just a few minutes of stretching each day can make a big difference.

Athalie Redwood-Brown is Senior Lecturer in Performance Analysis of Sport, Nottingham Trent University.

Jen Wilson is Senior Exercise and Health Practitioner, Nottingham Trent University.

This article was first published on The Conversation.