Welcome to the training expert Q&A section for February 2007. Each month we take a training question from the forum or one recieved via email and answer it in detail here. Would you like to get your question answered in next months issue? Simply register for free at the forum and post it up! All good questions will get answered here. This month's training question is below:
February Training Question:
I have heard that flexibility training is important?
Answer:
Flexibility is the ability of a joint to move through a range of motion. Flexibility is important as we age. It helps with posture and body awareness, it is also very relaxing. The best time for flexibility training is at the end of your training routine.
At this time the muscles and connective tissues are still warm from the training. You should ensure that you do not engage in bouncing or ballistic movements as when a muscle is stretched to quickly the muscle will tighten as a protective reflex. This is the body protecting itself from having the muscle being stretched to far or being torn. You should take the muscle into perceptible but not painful stretch and hold it for 20-30 seconds. This may feel like an eternity but is important.
Flexibility training normally tends to be the aspect of fitness most often sacrificed due to possible lack of time or can’t be bothered. But you should stretch regularly and include flexibility training as part of every (or almost every) training routine.
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About Doug Lawrenson:
Doug Lawrenson is our resident diet guru & fitness over on the Muscle&Strength Forum. Doug has had experience as a bodybuilder, coach and judge at national competition level. If you have questions for Doug or need some advice you can chat to Doug on the forum. Doug is on the forum almost every day!
Doug has written some in-depth and informative articles that have been featured on Muscle&Strength.com. To read some of his articles, check out the diet & nutrition articles section of this this website.
