Flexibility

Flexibility is a very important component in both joint and muscle function. Generally this is the first thing to be lost after any injury especially with immobilisation. There are a number of ways which can be used to increase flexibility, initially static stretching is the most commonly used because of the easy grading system from gentle to firm. At the other end of the scale is dynamic stretching using gentle balistic movements. This is particularly useful if used during a warm up pre exercise or sport as it reduces the chances of cooling down which is seen with static stretching. A technique commonly used by physiotherapists is contract relax where a muscle is isometrically contracted( without moving through a range) then relaxed and stretched. All muscles after contraction have a reciprocal relaxation which can be used to increase the length if the stretch is for long enough. Once flexibility is increased then strength exercises can be introduced.