This article has kindly been shared by Alison Richmond from Provention.
Why Flexibility Matters for Your Joints and Strength
Musculoskeletal flexibility plays a crucial role in overall health and wellbeing. In this series, Alison explores key aspects of why flexibility is important for your joint health, including:
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- What flexibility is
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- Factors that can reduce it
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- Consequences of limited flexibility
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- Practical exercises to improve joint mobility
What Is Flexibility?
Flexibility is the ability of a joint to move through its full range of motion without restriction or pain. This range depends on multiple factors, beginning with the joint’s physical structure.
For instance, the shoulder allows for more movement and rotation than the knee because of differences in joint shape and depth. However, flexibility isn’t just about bone structure—the soft tissues around the joint play a key role.
These tissues, including the joint capsule, ligaments, muscles, and tendons, determine whether a joint moves freely or faces restrictions.
Why Do We Need Flexibility?
Flexibility isn’t just about staying limber—it’s essential for strength, mobility, and preventing injuries.
Here’s why:
1. Range of Motion and Daily Movement
Good flexibility makes everyday tasks easier. Your hip joint, for example, needs full mobility for sitting, standing, climbing stairs, bending, kneeling, running, and jumping. When joints move freely, these activities feel effortless and reduce strain.
2. Joint Health and Lubrication
Movement helps lubricate joints and transport essential nutrients to keep them healthy. Without regular movement, joints can become stiff, which may lead to discomfort and reduced function over time.
3. Strength and Muscle Function
Flexibility directly impacts strength. Take the hip joint—if it’s flexible, the gluteus muscles (the powerhouse muscles in your buttocks) can function effectively. These muscles support walking, climbing stairs, squatting, and running, while also protecting your lower back. When flexibility is limited, the glutes can’t engage fully, leading to weaker muscles and reduced function.
What’s Next?
Now that we’ve covered the importance of flexibility, the next article in this series will explore the key factors that reduce flexibility and the consequences of limited mobility. Plus, we’ll discuss why addressing these challenges is essential for staying active and pain-free.
