Posts Tagged ‘flexibility’
Flexibility is the ability of a joint to move in its normal physiological range of motion. Laxity is the ability of a joint to move that is more than its normal physiological range of motion. Laxity is asymptomatic, as opposed to instability which is symptomatic.
Flexibility is dependent on the muscles, soft tissue and a little bit upon tendons. Laxity, however, depends on ligaments and the joint capsule.
Muscle flexibility is due to an interplay between the muscle intrinsic properties and the sensory apparatuses that are active in the muscle: Golgi bodies and muscle spindles.
Flexibility training should reduce tendon injury and reduce the occurrence of delayed muscle tenderness. Flexibility training allows athletes better achievements. However, flexibility training is not only for athletes. Flexibility allows better range of motion that can prevent injury and improve independence of most everybody and especially elderly persons.
Flexibility training exercises include stretching and mobilization. Flexibility exercises should be slow, gradual and repetitive.
