Flexibility is an important, yet often neglected, component of health-related fitness. Without adequate flexibility, the smooth and easy performance of everyday and recreational activities would be impossible. Sports medicine professionals, athletic trainers, coaches, and fitness trainers routinely recommend stretching in an effort to both prevent injury and enhance performance. However, according to available scientific research, there is little evidence that stretching before or after sports or exercise participation prevents injury, and some data show that stretching may actually negatively affect performance. Due to the growing recognition that all individuals should increase their levels of physical activity to improve their health and quality of life, studies on flexibility are becoming more commonplace. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an up-to-date review of the research in the areas of stretching and injury prevention, and flexibility and performance enhancement.
You will learn:
Identify the benefits of adequate flexibility, limitations of restricted mobility, and disadvantages of hypermobility Discuss soft-tissue factors that contribute to flexibility Identify the nervous system’s role in flexibility. Discuss possible mechanisms for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) Describe the influence of personal characteristics on flexibility Identify types of stretching that promote increased range of motion Discuss the relationship of flexibility training as a method to decrease exercise-related injury and enhance performance Identify a safe and effective program for improving overall flexibility
This course is included in our Functional Training Specialty Certification.
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