Improved Flexibility Yields Better Performance

by Jolene Wilkinson

Many of us do not give sufficient time and effort to developing our flexibility. Some may feel they are already doing enough and skip on stretching because it is not swimming, biking, or running. Others may feel they do not have the time for it or they just don't understand the link between flexibility and performance. However, clear evidence suggests that keeping your body flexible will help decrease your chance of suffering injuries and increase your performance, both during training and on race day.

When Lance Armstrong was preparing for the 2001 Tour, he added a full hour of stretching to his daily routine. This helped him improve his strength and power and helped him recover during the stage races he dominated in that year. So, how can flexibility help you in your athletic performance?

Smooth, effortless performance is a by-product of flexible, relaxed muscles working in concert with mobile joints and supple connective tissue. While many of us believe that creaking joints and tight muscles simply come with age, we are more in control than we think. By implementing a regular stretching routine, we can help supply more mobility in the joints, elasticity in the ligaments and tendons, and relaxation in the muscles.

Likewise, our connective tissues-ligaments, cartilage, and tendons- need elasticity to do their job of cushioning between the joints, bones, and muscles. Without this cushion, the mechanical load of performance is transferred to these areas, and over time, this diminishes performance and increases the chance of injury.

So, if you're looking for an edge to take you to the next level, implement a daily stretching routine. With just a moderate amount of attention, you'll feel the difference in your body and see the difference in your performance.

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