Many people lift weights and jog to improve their physical fitness, but the importance of stretching and flexibility is often overlooked.
"Improving your flexibility is just as important as cardio and strength workouts," said Valerie Lee, graduate teaching assistant in kinesiology and aerobics and yoga teacher.
Lee said it is important to do some basic stretching before a workout or any activity that requires a lot of movement. She also said stretching reduces the soreness that occurs after a workout.
Kent Games, doctoral fellow in the Neuromechanics Research Lab and nationally certified athletic trainer, said stretching and flexibility are as important as cardiovascular fitness and weight training in a person's overall health.
"Stretching not only helps you for a workout, but it can help you do daily activities more easily," Games said. "It also decreases the risk of injury and the likelihood of a muscle strain or tear."
Games said stretching also helps improve posture, which can provide long-term health benefits down the road.
"If you didn't stretch, then your muscles would remain tight, and that makes it harder to sit up straight," he said.
Games said no matter the activity, whether basketball, football, soccer or ultimate Frisbee, stretching can improve an individual's athletic ability.
Games said there is a greater range of motion with a flexible body.
"When you are flexible, you are able to move in ways and do things that you would not be able to do if you are not flexible," he said.
Games suggests two stretching methods for before and after physical activity. One method is static stretching, or basic stretches such as touching your toes for 10 seconds. The other is dynamic stretching involving movement.
"To do the inchworm stretch, you start standing up and walk your hands forward until you are in a push-up position and then walk your feet back to your hands," Games said. "You can do both dynamic and static stretches before and after your workout to improve flexibility and reduce injury."
Lauren Thomas, junior in physical education, teaches a body pump class at Max Fitness on East University Drive.
"The classes I teach require movement from the entire body, so it is important to make sure everyone's muscles are warmed up before we begin a class," Thomas said. "We spend about five minutes before and after each class to stretch and warm up."
Thomas said the five most important components of wellness are flexibility, body composition, aerobic fitness, muscular strength and muscular endurance.
"If flexibility was not important, it would not be on that list," Thomas said.
Games said flexibility is one of the most overlooked things in people's health because they rush into activities without taking proper time to stretch. He also said it is the easiest thing to improve.
Games said it's easy to feel tense and tight while studying for long periods. If a break is needed, he suggests taking a minute to strech your legs and loosen up.
Stretching is good not only for the body, but also the mind, Lee said.
"A great way to relieve stress is by doing yoga," she said.
Though it may seem difficult to get started at first, Games said the results of stretching regularly can be realized almost immediately.
"If you just take a few minutes every day to stretch, you will be able to see and feel results within a week," Games said.
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