Why Is Flexibility Important?

Flexibility is one of the main determinants of physical fitness, but it is often overlooked.¹ Maintaining range of motion in the body’s joints is important for basic functioning and may (along with other components of musculoskeletal fitness) be especially important to maintaining functionality in the setting of aging, injuries, and chronic illnesses.^2,3

While more research is still needed regarding the specific role of flexibility in overall physical fitness and health, most experts agree that structured flexibility exercises improve patients’ general health.^1-3 Small preliminary studies have suggested that flexibility may reduce arterial stiffening, which could theoretically reduce cardiovascular disease rates.⁴ Stretching can also improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and decrease the stiffness of arteries in patients.⁵ Finally, flexibility exercises have consistently demonstrated benefits in short- and long-term balance performance.^6,7 Although previously suggested in expert guidelines, current research does not suggest that flexibility contributes to a decreased risk of injuries, falls, and chronic pain.¹ However, in practice, certain medical conditions such as osteoarthritis⁸ and adhesive capsulitis⁹ often warrant special attention to flexibility training to preserve or regain function.

Despite these inconsistencies in current research on flexibility training, being able to move the body in a wider range of positions and movements gives us more options for accomplishing work, enjoying play, expressing ourselves, and finding comfort.  When flexibility increases, the range of possibility increases.

What Factors Affect Flexibility?

There are a variety of factors that contribute to a given person’s tendency to be more flexible or stiff. Females tend to be more flexible than males, and flexibility generally declines with age.³ Numerous genetic conditions such as Marfan’s syndrome and other connective tissue disorders affect flexibility. Joint hypermobility and joint hypermobility syndrome are two overlapping and somewhat poorly understood conditions associated with pronounced flexibility. These conditions exist on a continuum of severity,¹⁰ affect up to 30% of the population,¹⁰ and exhibit a strongly heritable risk pattern.^11,12

High degrees of flexibility achieved at a young age may be subsequently maintained into adulthood. For example, athletes and artists who exhibit high degrees of flexibility, such as gymnasts and contortionists, typically require initiation of flexibility training at a young age. Long-term conditioning through training and habit undoubtedly contributes to long-term flexibility differences.