17/04/2026
WHY DOES FLEXIBILITY MATTER? A sporting perspective:
Range of motion:
In tennis (30% flexibility), good shoulder and hip flexibility allow for better court coverage and a wider range of shots. A flexible player can reach wide shots more easily and generate more power in serves.
Injury prevention:
Rugby players (10% flexibility) may seem to need less flexibility, but it helps prevent injuries during tackles and quick direction changes. A flexible player is less likely to strain a muscle when extending for a pass or dodging a tackle.
Technical efficiency:
For marathon runners (20% flexibility), hip and ankle flexibility improve running stride efficiency, crucial for maintaining pace over long distances. A flexible runner may experience less fatigue.
Power:
In cricket (30% flexibility), a bowler’s shoulder flexibility impacts speed and spin. A flexible bowler achieves a fuller range of motion, potentially increasing ball speed and control.
Full-range strength:
Even in powerlifting (10% flexibility), flexibility aids proper form in lifts like squats and deadlifts. A flexible lifter can lift more weight with better technique.
Aesthetics & performance:
In gymnastics and dance (both 50% flexibility), flexibility is key for executing complex moves and creating visually impressive lines.
Explosive power:
For sprinters (20% flexibility), hip and hamstring flexibility allows for a longer stride length, potentially increasing speed.
And what about everyday life?
Even if you’re not sprinting down the home straight like Keely Hodgkinson at the end of a race, or flipping multiple times through the air like Simone Biles, flexibility helps maintain joint glide for smooth, fluid movement. It supports movement symmetry, reducing injury risk, and helps flush synovial fluid through joints, like oil for an engine - bringing in nutrients, removing waste, and reducing arthritis risk.
And, of course, when you’re not battling tight muscles or stiff joints, you can move with more precision and grace.
