In most cases, it’s advisable that people take part in physical activities to improve their health in general; however, experts note there is less being talked about flexibility training or exercises. However, it’s believed that flexibility, which is stretching your body to become more flexible, offers many physical benefits, just like any other form of exercise. Dr Celestine Karangwa, a physiotherapist at TCM Technology Clinic in Remera-Kigali, says flexibility training allows for easier and deeper movements while building strength and stability. He says another important aspect people should put in mind when it comes to flexibility is that while stretching your muscles and joints, it leads to a greater range of motion, improved balance, and increased flexibility. “Improved flexibility produces a wide range of physical benefits and can have a positive effect on your overall well-being, just like any other form of physical activity that people are aware of,” he says. For instance, Dr Karangwa mentions that flexibility exercises help improve one’s posture, especially the muscles of the lower back, shoulders, and chest, and keep one’s back in a better alignment. The medic further explains that due to the lifestyle people are exposed to, including sitting for a longer period while working, it has exposed most people to many health issues including back problems. With flexibility exercises, he says, this can be easily managed, and most importantly, provide other health benefits. Emmanuella Mahoro, a psychologist, says flexibility is known to help manage stress. She explains that it’s believed that well-stretched muscles hold less tension and, therefore, can help one feel less stressed. Mahoro says being flexible also reduces muscular tension and enhances muscular relaxation. “According to different studies, it has been shown that chronically tense muscles tend to cut off their own circulation, resulting in a lack of oxygen and essential nutrients, and stretching allows the muscles to relax,” she says. Nelson Mukasa, a fitness coach in Kigali, says once one develops strength and flexibility in their body, they will definitely be able to withstand more physical stress. In addition to this, he says that with flexibility, one is able to get rid of any muscle imbalances, which will reduce their chance of getting injured during physical activity. This, he says, requires a combination of strengthening the underactive muscles and stretching the overactive ones. Also, Mukasa says flexibility helps reduce the pain, explaining that with such exercises, one is likely to feel better in general once they work on lengthening and opening their muscles. “When muscles are looser and less tense, one will experience fewer aches and pains and will be less likely to experience any muscle cramps,” he adds. Karangwa says that carrying out flexibility exercises helps one’s posture and balance in general. He says that this means that working out allows you to have proper alignment and corrects any imbalances. Plus, with an increased range of motion, you may find it easier to sit or stand in certain ways. Mahoro says that regularly engaging in poses that stretch and open up your body can bring about feelings of relaxation, which is all about a positive state of mind. Karangwa says it also helps increase strength as one becomes more flexible, which ensures that muscles will have the right amount of tension so that they’re strong enough to support one’s movements, allowing them to become more physically fit. According to Mukasa, once one increases their flexibility to allow greater movement in the body, they are in a position to perform better physically, which is crucial.
