The Health Benefits of Flexibility and How to Achieve It

The Health Benefits of Flexibility
This article discusses emerging/ongoing science and research. It is intended for general informational purposes only. This content is unrelated to products offered by MariGold and does not contain any representations about the performance of such products.

Many individuals aspire to increase their physical flexibility, wishing they could bend and stretch with ease. Regardless of your current fitness level, everyone can improve their flexibility — which refers to how much you can stretch or elongate your muscles without causing damage.

Our muscles are responsible for pulling our bones and facilitating movement at our joints. Flexibility is essential for every movement in our body, along with elasticity, which allows muscles to return to their normal resting state after stretching.

A common motivation for improving flexibility is injury prevention, which also requires building and maintaining muscle mass through strength training. Reducing injury risk becomes increasingly important as we age. Flexibility naturally declines due to decreased collagen production, making simple actions like bending down to pick up an object more challenging for older adults. While becoming more flexible is still achievable later in life, it may require more effort due to collagen loss.

When you make an abrupt movement your body isn’t accustomed to, it can register that action as potentially harmful, potentially leading to injury. Increasing flexibility — generally through stretching — occurs through neuromuscular reeducation, where nerves in the brain and spinal cord send messages to muscles to perform specific movements.

The more you practice these movements, the more your nervous system develops clear pathways to execute them safely without adverse effects. Other reasons people seek to improve flexibility include being able to play more easily with young children or perform impressive physical feats.

Improving flexibility doesn’t necessarily require special equipment. It’s something that can be done with just your own body, making it accessible to most people regardless of their fitness level or access to gym facilities.

Stretches for Improved Flexibility

Several types of stretches can help improve overall flexibility:

1. Hip flexor stretches: These include the cat-cow yoga pose and compound stretches that target multiple muscle groups. They’re especially beneficial for people with desk jobs.

Cat and Cow Yoga Pose

2. Posterior chain stretches: These increase the flexibility of your glutes and hamstrings. Examples include the “figure-4 stretch” and downward dog pose.

Figure-4 Yoga Pose
Downward Dog Yoga Pose

3. Groin and pelvic floor stretches: The happy baby pose is an effective stretch for these chronically tight areas.

Happy Baby Yoga Pose

4. Thoracic rotational stretches: These are important for movements that require twisting your midback. The open book stretch is a good example.

Open Book Yoga Pose

It’s recommended to stretch at least a few times per week, but daily practice is most effective. For beginners, dynamic stretching (actively moving your body through a range of motion) may be more beneficial than static stretching (holding a position still for a duration).

Stretches should be held for 15 to 30 seconds, and can be incorporated throughout the day. Feelings of pulling, lengthening, warmth, or tension are normal, but pain or burning sensations indicate you’re pushing too far.

The Role of Collagen Peptides in Flexibility and Muscle Health

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and flexibility of our muscles, tendons, and ligaments. As we age, our natural collagen production decreases, which can lead to reduced flexibility and increased risk of injury.

Collagen peptides, which are smaller, more easily absorbed forms of collagen, have gained attention for their potential to support flexibility and muscle health. Some studies suggest that supplementing with collagen peptides may:

  1. Improve joint mobility and reduce joint pain
  2. Enhance muscle mass and strength when combined with resistance training
  3. Support faster recovery after intense exercise
  4. Contribute to the overall health of connective tissues

While more research is needed to fully understand the effects of collagen peptide supplementation, many people report improvements in their flexibility and overall joint comfort when incorporating these supplements into their routine. It’s important to note that collagen supplements should be used in conjunction with a balanced diet and regular exercise for optimal results.

Additional Benefits of Flexibility

Improved flexibility offers several benefits beyond just being able to touch your toes:

  1. Stress relief: Stretching can help reduce physical and mental tension.
  2. Better body awareness: Regular stretching helps you become more attuned to your body’s needs and capabilities.
  3. Improved blood flow: Increased flexibility can enhance circulation, which supports overall health.
  4. Better posture and balance: Greater flexibility often leads to improved posture and balance, which is particularly beneficial as we age.
  5. Enhanced exercise performance: Flexible muscles can improve your ability to build strength and perform various physical activities with less risk of injury.

Remember, increasing flexibility is a gradual process. Consistency is key, and it’s important to listen to your body and avoid pushing yourself too far too quickly. With regular practice and patience, you can experience the numerous benefits that come with improved flexibility.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How are my Protein Bars Shipped?

MariGold Protein Bars
For destinations within the contiguous U.S. – orders totaling $75 or more (before tax) ship free.

Orders below $75 ship for $9.99 (2-5 Day Priority Shipping).

Your MariGold Protein Bars will be shipped with ice and super chilled before being sent to you. We also make every bar to order so they’re incredibly fresh when they are shipped.

Be aware that it is normal for the ice pack to melt during shipping.
The ice pack and special liner will keep your bars chilled during their journey to you.
If your bars are not still cool when they arrive we want you to know that they are perfectly safe to eat.

Even the most perishable bar we sell has a 14 day un-refrigerated shelf life.

Please visit our FAQ page for more information.
MariGold Foods Logo

Please login below:

0