Flexibility is Not Just for Ballet Dancers

Sheila Lehner, Benevolent Ballet-Fall Prevention for the Elderly www.benevolentballet.com

It is not just the gymnast or the ballet dancer who should be concerned with flexibility or ranged of motion. As we age our joints, tendons and muscles stiffen as a result of inactivity, arthritis or other medical conditions. It is important to realize that just about all ADLs (activities of daily living) are dependent not only on strength, coordination and stamina, but also on flexibility.

My 101 year old uncle was sitting hunched and totally out of alignment in his wheel chair. Attempting to fasten a belly bag around him because reaching down into his pocket had become difficult for him, I asked him to lean forward. "Lean forward", I repeated "I am", he replied barely moving. When I pointed out that he only moved his head and shoulders a little he said, "I can't because you are pushing me back!" He had so little flexibility or range of movement in his hip flexors that he was unable to perform the simple act of bending forward. His physical therapy had been focused on strengthening his arms and legs and had not gotten to dealing with hip flexibility. The ability to stand up from a seated position depends not only on strength in the quadriceps but also in flexibility in the ankles and hips.

Flexibility is also necessary when it comes to balance. Picture yourself getting out of the car while parked on a steep hill. You would not be able to adjust your balance without adequate flexibility in the ankles. There are hundreds of examples of the importance of maintaining freedom of movement in all movable joints.

Freedom of movement can be maintained or regained through regular exercise and simple stretching exercises. When performing stretching exercises it is important that you always start gently, increasing the amount of pressure or pull gradually. You should feel the muscles pull but not to the point of hurting.