WF flexibility training component is your on-line "how to" manual. Everything you need to know about flexibility training and exactly how to achieve the results you desire, is taught in this manual.

The flexibility training component is 16 pages long and can be viewed on your computer or printed out. All the examples in this content are linked to demonstrations that will enhance your understanding.

Below is a list of all the very important topics we'll discuss throughout the flexibility training components.

In the flexibility training component, you will find information on:

  • The benefits of flexibility training
  • The three basic stretching techniques
  • Principles and guidelines for:
  • Using static stretching to achieve maximum results
  • The importance of warming-up before stretching
  • Stretching before and after exercise
  • The importance of stretching between weightlifting sets
  • How and when to include stretching in your strength training program without taking up more time
  • How and when to include stretching in your cardiovascular exercise program for maximum results
  • How to combine strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and good nutrition into your flexibility training program
  • Ways to stay motivated
  • The factors that affect your flexibility
  • All the examples in this content are linked to demonstrations that will enhance your understanding.

 Introduction

The flexibility Training component will teach you the three basic stretching techniques and the very important principles and guidelines of a safe, effective flexibility-training program. You'll learn exactly how to get the best results, including when to stretch, how often to stretch, and how long to hold the stretch for maximum benefits. In addition, you'll learn how to include stretching with your cardiovascular exercise and strength-training programs, without taking up much of your valuable time. We also discuss ways of staying motivated throughout your program. Lastly, we'll discuss the factors that affect flexibility.

Warming up and cooling down should be an integral part of any type of exercise or sport, particularly aerobics, for its dangerous and in efficient to leap immediately from rest to maximum activity. When you are at rest, your blood circulates more or loss evenly through the body, facilitating the healthy functioning of all vital organs. When a specific part of the body is called into action a greater blood supply carrying oxygen is sent to the working parts.

Warm up and stretching is essential to signal your body that a certain group of muscles will be in need of increased supply of oxygen.
 




Benefits of Flexibility Training

 

Flexibility is a joint's ability to move through a full range of motion. Flexibility training (stretching) helps balance muscle groups that might be overused during exercise or physical activity or as a result of bad posture. It's important to clearly understand the many benefits that result from a good flexibility program.

Improved Physical Performance and Decreased Risk of Injury

First, a safe and effective flexibility training program increases physical performance. A flexible joint has the ability to move through a greater range of motion and requires less energy to do so, while greatly decreasing your risk of injury. Most professionals agree that stretching decreases resistance in tissue structures; you are, therefore, less likely to become injured by exceeding tissue extensibility (maximum range of tissues) during activity.

Reduced Muscle Soreness and Improved Posture

Stretching reduces muscle soreness , refer to the Strength Training content ahead . Recent studies show that slow, static stretching (explained in the next section) helps reduce muscle soreness after exercise. Moreover, stretching improves muscular balance and posture. Many women's soft-tissue structures had adapted poorly to either the effect of gravity or poor postural habits. Stretching can help realign soft tissue structures, thus reducing the effort it takes to achieve and maintain good posture in the activities of daily living.

Reduced Risk of Low Back Pain
 

A key benefit, and one we wish more women would realize, is that stretching reduces the risk of low back pain. Stretching promotes muscular relaxation. A muscle in constant contraction requires more energy to accomplish activities. Flexibility in the hamstrings, hip flexors, quadriceps, and other muscles attaching to the pelvis reduces stress to the low back. Stretching causes muscular relaxation, which encourages healthy nutrition directly to muscles; the resulting reduction in accumulated toxins reduces the potential for muscle shortening or tightening and thus reduces fatigue.

Increased Blood and Nutrients to Tissues

Another great benefit is that stretching increases blood supply and nutrients to joint structures. Stretching increases tissue temperature, which in turn increases circulation and nutrient transport. This allows greater elasticity of surrounding tissues and increases performance. Stretching also increases joint synovial fluid, which is a lubricating fluid that promotes the transport of more nutrients to the joints' articular cartilage. This allows a greater range of motion and reduces joint degeneration.

Improved Muscle Coordination

Another little-known benefit is increased neuromuscular coordination. Studies show that nerve-impulse velocity (the time it takes an impulse to travel to the brain and back) is improved with stretching. This helps opposing muscle groups work in more synergistic, coordinated fashion.

Enhanced Enjoyment of Physical Activities


Flexibility training also means enhanced enjoyment, and a fitness program should be fun if you want to stick with it. Not only does stretching decrease muscle soreness and increase performance; it also helps relax both mind and body and brings a heightened sense of well being and personal gratification during exercise.

You are now ready for the Flexibility Training component. We begin with the stretching techniques, and then proceed to the principles and guidelines of an effective flexibility-training program. We will then discuss the best ways to stay motivated and the factors that effect flexibility.

Three basic techniques are used to increase flexibility: ballistic stretching, pro-prioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and static stretching.