Studies about the benefits of stretching have been popping up everywhere lately. As we become more advanced in our studies of the human body, there is still one important rule to remember- muscle moves bone. The more elasticity you have in your muscles, the better you move. The better you move, the healthier your joints are. Something as simple as stretching for 20 minutes every morning can improve your flexibility, which in turn can improve your athletic performance and decrease your risk of injury. Understand why stretching can help — and how to stretch correctly. Here is a list of some of the benefits -better flexibility -greater range of motion -improved strength -injury prevention -better blood flow -improved sleep -enhanced agility -improved stability Better flexibility can improve your performance in physical activities or decrease your risk of injuries by helping your joints move through their full range of motion. For instance, say your calves are tight and lack flexibility. If you do a lot of walking, your foot may not move through its full range of motion. Over time, this can increase your risk of tendinitis or tendinopathy in your Achilles tendon. Stretching your calves may improve the range of motion in your ankle. And you may come to enjoy the ritual of stretching before — or better yet, after — hitting the trail, golf course or basketball court.
